Table of Contents

Message: Message from Dr.Bang...... 2 Faculty Notes News from the Bang College of Business (BCB)...... 3 News from the Law School...... 7 News from the College of Social Sciences (CSS)...... 9 News from the College of Humanities and Education (CHE)...... 11 News from the Executive Education Center (EEC)...... 12 University News and Events The Office of Quality Assurance and Institutional Research...... 14 Oracle Day...... 16 Donors Recognition and Awarding Ceremony...... 19 Mentorship Program...... 20 Alumni Highlights Interview with Igor Romanenko, MA 2001...... 26 Interview with Dauren Zholdasbayev, BSc 2003, MBA 2009...... 27 Interview with Assiya Tulessova, BSS 2004, MPA 2005...... 28

Alumni Magazine Interview with Kamila Lukpanova, BAIJ 2009, MPA 2011...... 29 Interview with Saira Amantayeva, BSSPA 2010...... 30 Interview with Davranbek Tashbayev, BSSPA 2011...... 31 Interview with Meruyert Tlebaldy, BAE 2012...... 32 Interview with Kassiyet Omarova, MPA 2013...... 33 Interview with Amanat Mussin, BSSPA 2016...... 34 Interview with Shakhzada Shogelbayeva, BMKT 2017...... 35 Interview with Beknur Rakhmankulov, BLLB 2017...... 37 KIMEP family helps during the pandemic...... 39 KIMEP and Quarantine...... 43 Alumni Reunions and Events Alumni Reunion in Nur-Sultan (New Year Celebration)...... 47 Alumni in Admission Campaign (on-line format)...... 48 Alumni Talks (on-line format)...... 49 Career Talks (on-line format)...... 50 Rakhmet Scholarship Fund...... 51 Contact Us Contact Details...... 52 Alumni Success Stories...... 52 Services for Alumni...... 52 Dear alumni, partners and students of KIMEP University, You are reading our 10th issue of the Alumni magazine, timely coinciding with the Volunteer Year in . Our students from the first year of study learn about volunteerism. They see advertisements on campus recruiting volunteers for various events at university, city and country levels. They are actively involved in charity projects during student life. Moreover, we are very pleased to know that after graduation our alumni continue to help others. In the process of preparing this issue, we focused on finding volunteers among graduates, we conducted several interviews, but then the quarantine broke out. We all found ourselves in new conditions of uncertainty and expectations, faced with difficulties of self-isolation and budget cuts. We continue to work at distance, that is why this magazine will be in electronic format only. Alumni Magazine In the magazine, you will find interviews with alumni who have been volunteers for many years and continue to invest in the noble cause, the development of culture, society, improving the lives of people. You will learn who and how became a volunteer during quarantine. We kindly offer you the information on how KIMEP opened new specialties during distance learning format, how the meeting on the first anniversary of CDD mentor ship program was held via ZOOM, what difficulties the university faced and how our graduates helped us in attracting new students.

I want to thank everyone who took part in the release of this issue: Balzhan Suzhikova, Adil Valikhanov, Ekaterina Andreeva, Saltanat Nurgalieva, Nurai Baigabulova.

A lot of work has been done, much remains to be done, and the most important thing is not to forget that a volunteer does not always have time – he/she just has a big heart.

Health to you and your loved ones!

Dinara Sagindykova Alumni Specialist, Corporate Development Department 1 Message from Dr.Bang

ear KIMEP Alumni, Welcome to the Tenth Edition of KIMEP University’s alumni magazine, and I thank you for taking this opportunity to stay connected with Dyour alma mater. During these uncertain times, KIMEP University remains dedicated to providing the highest quality educational orientation. As KIMEP begins its twenty-eighth academic year, our university is forging ahead through the shocks of the Covid-19 pandemic, which is disrupting all societies and economies around the world. KIMEP University has taken an array of steps to ensure the highest quality of educational discourse in Distance Learning, and we have fully prepared for various methods of educational delivery. In order to ensure that the quality of education at KIMEP remains at our standards of excellence, we are making concerted investments into faculty training, new hardware and software, and a distance learning monitoring and evaluation oversight committee. Over this past summer, all KIMEP faculty members were engaged in rigorous online training certificate courses, some of which were taught by professors from the United States. Faculty members worked independently with peer tutors, and then presented and defended their online course designs. KIMEP has purchased new equipment for faculty members for online education, including laptops, microphones, and cameras. In preparation for Distance Learning, KIMEP has made various types of electronic equipment available on affordable lease for all students who request additional support.

Alumni Magazine The challenge presented by the coronavirus pandemic is arduous. However, just as KIMEP University has met and overcome difficulties in the past, so too shall our university prevail by adapting to Distance Learning, and thereby increasing our institutional resilience. Through this time of uncertainty, I have full confidence that KIMEP University will continue to lead all higher educational institutions in Kazakhstan, , and beyond. And so, it is my great pleasure to share that KIMEP University has, yet again, been recognized as the #1 Leading University among all Humanitarian- Economic universities in Kazakhstan by the 2020 National Rankings of HEIs by the Independent Kazakh Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA). I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to our entire academic community on this impressive achievement. During the turbulence of economic contractions, there is nothing more important than a high quality education. In times of scarcity, the market, for either new employment or a promotion, becomes increasingly more competitive. In order to succeed and thrive, superior educational qualifications is the best way to maintain a competitive edge over the toughest contenders. As always, I would like to thank you for being part of our impressive alumni network and staying in touch with your alma mater. On behalf of our faculty, staff, and the KIMEP community, I welcome you to read more about our achievements and plans for the near future. Sincerely yours, Chan Young Bang, Ph.D. 2 President of KIMEP University NEWS FROM THE BANG COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

BCB ACCOUNTING AND AUDITING PROGRAMS RE- President, Dr. Gilbert Linne, KIMEP Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Jay Ho Young Lee, BCB Dean, ACCREDITED BY INTERNATIONAL PROFESSIONAL and Dr. David Asch, Director of Quality Services, who provided detailed information on EFMD accreditation and ASSOCIATIONS certification schemes.

In January 2020 two leading professional accounting Overall, 69 representatives of 25 universities and associations globally - ACCA and ICAEW - reconfirmed institutions of Kazakhstan got registered to the event their trust in the quality of accounting education at and 47 of them participated in the event. The event KIMEP, renewing and expanding their recognition of the participants liked the training and expressed their BCB degrees. gratitude by official appreciation letters, numerous e-mail messages, webpage announcements and Facebook and Thus, starting from 2019, the Association of Chartered Instagram posts. EFMD representatives also expressed Certified Accountants (ACCA) considers BACTA graduates their fondness of how the workshop was organized and eligible for 8 ACCA exemptions out of 9, subject to the delivered. graduates’ successful completion of corresponding courses at BCB. MACTA graduates are eligible for 6 out of BCB ACHIEVES EPAS ELIGIBILITY 9 exemptions. On February 19, 2020, BCB officially submitted an The Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and application to EFMD Program Accreditation System Wales (ICAEW) re-confirmed its readiness to grant BACTA (EPAS) and gained eligibility on 27 May 2020. By gaining graduates exemptions from 6 out 15 exam modules of eligibility, the Bang College of Business successfully

ICAEW’s ACA Qualification, which corresponds to the finalized the fourth stage of the 7-stage EPAS Alumni Magazine Qualification‘s Certificate level. accreditation process. BCB works hard to successfully pass the next three stages of the EPAS accreditation BANG COLLEGE OF BUSINESS HOLDS THE process: Self-Assessment, Peer Review Visit and Accreditation Decision. FIRST EFMD ACCREDITATION WORKSHOP IN KAZAKHSTAN TATISHEV FOUNDATION OFFERS SCHOLARSHIP SUPPORT TO BACHELOR OF MANAGEMENT The European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) is one of the three most renowned international PROGRAM agencies for business school accreditation. Internationally, simultaneous accreditation by EFMD, AMBA and AACSB On March 6, 2020, Dr. Chan Young Bang, Dr. Barnett and is considered as a golden standard and referred to as Dr. Linne welcomed Mr. Yerkin Tatishev, the Founder of Triple Crown accreditation of business schools. Less than Tatishev Foundation and Ms. Dana Zharikova, President a hundred of business schools worldwide have achieved of the Foundation to KIMEP campus and expressed the Triple Crown accreditation so far. University’s appreciation of the Foundation’s contribution to the development of human capital in the Republic of On 28-29 October 2019, KIMEP University in collaboration Kazakhstan, as well as for the 12 years of the Foundation’s with the EFMD, held the first EFMD Accreditation generous scholarship support of the talented KIMEP Workshop in Kazakhstan. The title of the workshop was students. The sides discussed further collaboration, “Market Trends, EFMD Accreditation & Certification”. future of the secondary and higher education and ways During the two days, attendees benefited from the of how universities could assist small and medium-sized knowledge, shared by Dr. Chan Young Bang, KIMEP enterprises (SMEs) entrepreneurship and wider business community in the country. 3 During the subsequent meeting of Mr. Yerkin Tatishev of theoretical sessions provided by the BCB faculty and Ms. Dana Zharikova with senior representatives followed by guest lectures during which students can of BCB and Corporate Development Department freely communicate with the industry leaders, managers (CDD), BCB Dean, Dr. Jay Hoyoung Lee, noted that and entrepreneurs. After successful completion of 3 contemporary business world needs specialists who are LDP courses, the students can receive the Certificate in entrepreneurial in their spirit and mind, who are ready to Leadership. act independently and take risks. He further assured that the College will put efforts to prepare such specialists and In the year of its tenth anniversary, the Leadership thanked the Foundation for opening “BesTirek” Program’s Development Program launched a new delivery format funds to the aspiring students of KIMEP Bachelor - online guest speaker sessions. Though the change of Management Program. The Program covers full was initially driven by COVID19 pandemic, the received tuition cost for all four years of study, accommodation, response made it clear that the format is here to stay. a monthly stipend (subject to good academic Soon after the first online session held on April 9, 2020, performance), as well as transportation costs for students by Arminas Macevicius, organizers started receiving a from other regions. Besides, the Foundation gives the considerable wave of positive comments from students program fellows seed money to start their business and and graduates who welcomed the innovation and an opportunity to attend entrepreneurship summer camp found it very convenient for those who cannot attend at the Babson College, USA. the LDP sessions in person due to their current location or busyness at work. Further success of sessions with Yerbol Tormanov, Zhanna Kim and Nurdaulet Kulshikov highlighted the demand for and timeliness of the innovation, opening new horizons for the program. Thus, it becomes possible to invite speakers from any part of the country and even the world.

The LDP students noted that online sessions were as inspirational and interesting as the face-to-face classes, while the wider public appreciated the opportunity to

Alumni Magazine attend the sessions without interruption to their working schedules. In the result, each session was attended by twice the number of intended listeners. The LDP Dr. Chan Young Bang and Mr. Yerkin Tatishev administration now plans to partially incorporate the format into the program curriculum even after the end of LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM quarantine. CELEBRATES ITS 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY BCB EXPANDS COLLABORATION HORIZONS In 2020, the BCB celebrates 10-th anniversary of the 2019-20 academic year was very fruitful in terms of Leadership Development Program (LDP). The program building new partnerships and collaborations. BCB was initiated by Dr. Chan Young Bang in 2010. Over 200 opened a new page in relations with the local higher well-known leaders from business, politics, entertainment, education institutions, public funds and the corporate sports, and other industries gave their leadership world. Dean Dr. Jay Ho Young Lee strengthened ties lectures within the program. They have shared their with the Higher School of and Business of experience, leadership hacks and insights with KIMEP the Kazakh National University named after Al-Farabi, students. Such prominent figures asNurlan Smagulov, Suleiman Demirel University and Kazakh-German Umut Shayakhmetova, Armanzhan Baitassov, Amangeldy University (DKU). Besides, BCB attended the Official Omarov, Ramil Mukhoryapov, and Alisher Yelikbayev gave Public Reports events of AlmaU and Narxoz Universities. speeches at the Program, to name only a few. Grounds for the further fruitful collaboration with the Digitalization Department of City Akimat, The program provides students with unique opportunity National Bureau of Translation (local non-governmental to understand what it means to be a leader in a organization that promotes translation of prominent contemporary organization. The program consists Kazakh literature to other languages and translation 4 CFA Institute Research Challenge is an annual global competition that provides university students with hands-on mentoring and training in financial analysis and professional ethics. Participants were tested on their analytical, valuation, report writing and presentation skills. More than 6,000 students from 1,000 universities take part in CFA Institute Research Challenge each year. L’Oreal BRANDSTORM 2020: BCB Team #1 in Kazakhstan

We are proud to inform you that on April 16, 2020, BCB team consisting of Yevgeniya Marinushkina, Violetta Karipidi and Assel Tuzelbekova won the first place during of the best educational, scientific and cultural content the National Finals of the L’Oreal Brandstorm 2020 into ) and “Nomad Insurance” JSC were International Case Competition. The jury praised KIMEP also secured this year. Internationally, BCB strengthened team’s project for uniqueness of the idea and chose the networking ties with the CEFAM – AACSB accredited team to represent Kazakhstan on the international arena. French-American Business School situated in Lyon, After the Global Finals the BCB team plans to continue France. working on the innovation that was recognized as the best idea in Kazakhstan. STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS 2020 CFA Challenge Competition: BCB Team #1 in Kazakhstan and # 2 in Central Asia Alumni Magazine On 23 February, 2020, BCB team won 2nd place in the regional 2020 CFA Research Challenge Competition. Our team, one of 5 Kazakhstan teams in the regional finals, presented a report on JSC “Halyk Bank Equity From left to right: Violetta Karipidi, Yevgeniya Marinushkina, and Research”. The first place in the Competition was taken Assel Tuzelbekova by the Westminster International University in Tashkent () and third place by the Nazarbayev University BCB Student Develops a Chat-Bot for KIMEP (Kazakhstan). The members of the 2020 BCB CFA team are: Duman Imanbayev, Altynay Mukhatova, Aruzhan Students Shalkhybayeva, Gavkharkhon Mamadzhanova, and Kundiz Kuandikova. In the early April, KIMEP Student Affairs Office informed students of availability of KIMEP University chat bot. The timing was just perfect - in the time of social distancing, availability of an effective tool of communication with university was highly important to KIMEP students. We take pride that it is BCB Student, Niyaz Askarbek, who created the chat bot for his Alma Mater.

5 BCB Graduates Support Entrepreneurs Hit Oracle Opens its Academy at KIMEP by COVID-19 Crisis University In response to the challenges of corona virus crisis, two BCB graduates, Umijon Osmanov and Eduard Shloss, launched a social project that teaches small and medium entrepreneurs the basics of digital marketing through a Telegram channel. The founders of QEEPE Digital Agency share their knowledge with more than 350 channel subscribers, also providing free-of-charge consultations to help peer businessmen stay afloat during the current economic ebb.

BCB RESEARCH NEWS On February 27, 2020, Oracle Academy was officially opened at KIMEP campus, and will now operate in The 17th KIMEP International Research #301 class of the New Academic Building. The Oracle Academy is the project designed to present all necessary Conference Goes Online resources to teach information technologies to college and university students by providing access to resources On April 17-18, 2020, for the first time in its two decades’ which may be used in class and for non-commercial history the annual KIMEP International Research academic research, including technologies, educational Conference (KIRC) went completely online. The decision courses and training software, seminars for students, for this remarkable shift was made when the Conference training instructors and materials for exam preparation to gathered over 90 paper submissions from local and gain Oracle Industrial Certificates. Participation in Oracle foreign Universities despite of the restrictions imposed by Academy is free of charge. For more detailed information the COVID-19 pandemic. please see academy.oracle.com.

Alumni Magazine The Multidisciplinary Conference devoted to the “Challenges and Opportunities for Economy, Business, and Society in Central Asia and beyond” was organized in 21 ZOOM sessions that were open to participants and wider public. All the sessions went smoothly and allowed for an open exchange of ideas and knowledge. The innovative mode of the Conference was well received by the participants representing a number of various universities. Bloomberg Terminal Welcomes KIMEP Researchers BCB Starts BCB Newsletter and Opens its Starting from Fall 2019, Bang College of Business Official Facebook and Instagram Pages provides free-of-charge service to all business disciplines and economics researchers – a fully fledged Bloomberg In 2019-20, BCB started issuing BCB Newsletter - an Terminal is available for their use at the KIMEP campus. electronic publication that keeps KIMEP community The Terminal is situated in #422/Dostyk class which is informed of the latest developments in the College. As equipped with projector, screen, printer and desks for for the wider audience, BCB launched official Instagram up to 12 students to facilitate use of the Terminal for and Facebook pages: bcb_kimep. The pages keep an group work, workshops, and seminars. Currently the interactive dialogue with the BCB-interested community. Terminal is temporarily moved to the Electronic Resources We invite you to visit, like, share and follow the accounts. Laboratory in the Library as the Dostyk building is closed due to the quarantine. bcb_kimep 6 News from the Law School

On September 11-12, 2019 the UNODC Regional Office KIMEP TEAM WINS AIFC MOOT COURT for Central Asia organized the Education for Justice ND -E4J regional Expert Workshop for University Teachers, COMPETITION 2 YEAR IN A ROW academicians, policy makers on Counter Terrorism and Firearms module series hosted by the Law School, KIMEP On October 31, 2019 student teams from five leading University. Nearly 50 university teachers and professors universities in Kazakhstan (M. Narikbayev KAZGUU from Kazakhstan, , , Turkmenistan and University, KIMEP University, L. N. Gumilyov Eurasian Uzbekistan took part in this event. National University, and Caspian University) participated in the AIFC Moot Court competition in Nur-Sultan. KIMEP University and KAZGUU teams were the winners of the preliminary rounds and then competed in the final round, and KIMEP team won.

The competition involved an argue over a common law case scenario in English, the official language of the competition, and required analysis and oral presentation of legal arguments in the presence of two senior AIFC Court judges: Justice Sir Robin Jacob and Justice Sir Stephen Richards.

KIMEP University team was awarded “The AIFC Court & IAC Moot Final Winners Cup”. All participants, including

those who took part in the preliminary rounds, won an Alumni Magazine opportunity to experience an internship at the AIFC Court and IAC.

We are truly proud of Aruzhan Bolatbayeva, Damelya ‘UNODC has developed a series of university modules Karakulova and Gulnur Akayeva who represented KIMEP and other tools to assist academics teaching on some University’s School of Law in this competition, and of today’s most crucial threats. Specifically, E4J aims proud and thankful to Dr. Zambrana-Tevar, coach of our to support tertiary level educators and academics in victorious team. Last year KIMEP also was a winner in this their efforts to transmit knowledge and create a deeper Competition. understanding of rule of law related issues, with a focus on the subject areas of crime prevention and criminal justice, anti-corruption, organized crime, trafficking in persons and smuggling of migrants, firearms, cybercrime, wildlife, forest and fisheries crime, counter-terrorism as well as integrity and ethics.» - noted Ms. Ashita Mittal, UNODC Regional Representative for Central Asia.

At the workshop participants shared their experiences, ideas and approaches on the subject, discussing the topic as well as the best methods for delivering the modules, adapting them to contexts and integrating them into the courses participants planned to teach in future. 7 On 31 July 2020, Dr. Rustam Atadjanov LAW SCHOOL STUDENTS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE delivered an online lecture on legal aspects of human trafficking for IN VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES students and guests of the KIMEP University. The lecture was part of This year in Kazakhstan was announced the ‘Year of a series of lectures on international Volunteer’. And our students who were involved in legal and human rights issues jointly volunteer activities for a long time by now, this year organized by the KIMEP Legal Clinic and participated even more actively in various initiatives aimed American Space Almaty. In August 2020, on improving legal literacy of Kazakhstani population and Dr. Atadjanov was invited to present providing legal advice to those who need it. at the International Scientific Practical Conference titled “The Value of a Person within the Eurasian Model of At the Law School students organize volunteer assistance Constitutionalism” and dedicated to the 25th Anniversary by serving as free legal consultants at the Legal Clinic of the Constitution of Kazakhstan. The Conference is where any person can come to get consultation or hosted by the Constitutional Council of the Republic of help with drafting legal documents free of charge; and Kazakhstan and organized by the KAZGUU University. for those who can’t come in person, Law School in collaboration with the IS “Paragraph” runs the ‘Ask a Dr. Federico Dalpane, Assistant Lawyer’ project, which gives people opportunity to get Professor, School of Law legal consultation online. Only in the last academic year Federico realized that the shift to our students solved 48 cases online! distance learning last spring was a great opportunity to study elearning Students answer questions that require knowledge in and online pedagogy. He now thinks various fields of legislation: civil, tax, criminal, labor, that teaching online is very different public procurement procedures, etc, and what we value from traditional face-to-face teaching, the most – is that not only people who get help benefit but not less effective or rewarding, from such initiatives, but that the law school students if approached correctly. Federico is get excellent opportunity to develop practical skills and currently taking professional development courses on expand knowledge by working under supervision of

Alumni Magazine this subject, and will provide technical and pedagogical practitioners and our faculty. support to other KIMEP instructors during the fall.

Besides studying elearning, Federico continues his collaboration with the Master in Animal Law and Society of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, especially by supervising theses.

8 News form the College of Social Sciences

New PhD Programs at CSS CSS aims to make the graduates of its programs top experts in their fields and the pride of its alumni In Fall 2020 the College of Social Sciences opened community. Graduates will be prepared for top-level new Ph.D. level programs in Economics and in Public careers in academia and think-tanks, in public service Administration. Candidates with a master degree in and government agencies, consultancy, in business a related field who seek a top-level career had the and finance, non-governmental organizations, inter- opportunity to apply and become part of the first governmental organizations and development agencies. cohort of the programs. The best applicants received scholarships. International Cooperation of CSS The PhD program in economics offers opportunities for students who want to do research in environmental The College of was active in international economics, financial regulation, inequality and social cooperation. In fulfillment of the requirements of the policy, labor economics, monetary policy, public Ministry of Education and Science, it initiated the signing economics, regional integration, social evaluation of research internship agreements with new partners in and capabilities in human development, trade and Europe to enable master and doctoral students to take development economics or transition economies. part in international internships abroad. Our new partners are Dublin City University (Ireland) and Faculty of Political PhD students in Public Administration will benefit Science, University of Belgrade (Serbia). In addition, a from studying an interdisciplinary program aimed at memorandum of understanding with MGIMO University developing a deep and nuanced knowledge of public (Moscow, Russian Federation) was signed at the end of sector administration, governance and management 2019. of public assets, national and international policy- Alumni Magazine making, and functioning and transformation of societal institutions.

9 Currently, the College of Social Sciences has taken the Presentation of Joint Research Project of leadership in signing an agreement between KIMEP University and the Higher School of Economics as a new the China and Central Asia Studies Center

Alumni Magazine partner. HSE is widely regarded as among the best and most prestigious universities in Russia and the CIS. In and University of Agder (Norway) addition, the College has signed up to the New Market project of the Marie Curie Research International Staff On 19 December 2019, a workshop at KIMEP University Exchange (RISE) of Horizon 2020 which is the biggest EU concluded the two-year project “Unpacking China in Research and Innovation programme. Central Asia”. The research output is a web repository with data on investment projects with Chinese participation in Central Asia. The repository can be Video interview project “CSS Alumni accessed from the website https://china-centralasia.org Success Stories” which also provides an easily accessible map to navigate.

AS CSS strives to keep in touch with its alumni Joint Lecture Series with Qingdao community, it launched a video project “Alumni Success Stories” with Elnora Rozmut as a producer and host University (China) and with support of the Department of Media and Communication. The first alumni who shared their stories For Friday, 11 September, the China and Central Asia were, among others, Elnora Rozmut (MAIJ), Ruslan Studies Center together with the Belt- and Road Institute Tuginov (MPMA), Kamila Lukpanova (MPA), Aigerim at Qingdao University has planned to launch their regular Toleukhan (MAIJ) and Larissa Li (MAE). “Salon” lecture series. Please refer to the website www. chinacentralasia.org for information about this event and You can follow and share the video-interviews on KIMEP the lecture series. channels in YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn. 10 NEWS from the COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND EDUCATION

College of Humanities and Education has launched 3 new The PhD in Education Policy and Management aims unique in the Central Asia region academic programs. to train researchers and educational leaders who have The students will start their study at the programs in Fall systemic and critical understanding of the discipline. 2020 semester: Graduates will be able to make original and significant 1. Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science contributions to knowledge in the field of education policy and management, and will be capable of 2. in Education Policy and qualitatively transforming the education system at the Management level of an organization, region or country. 3. Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy and Management On-line Professional Development Workshop

The Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science The College of Humanities and Education successfully is a unique program that allows students to explore conducted on-line KIMEP Professional Development human (natural) language from a variety of perspectives, Workshop titled «Quality Online Course Design» in including the way that language is processed and June 2020 for all KIMEP faculty. produced in the mind, and the increasing role of computers in analyzing language. This interdisciplinary There were almost three weeks of work in total from program provides students with a solid grounding in June 15th until July 1st based on ZOOM platform. Those the theoretical principles, technical skills, and practical three weeks focused on many different approaches applications of the fields of linguistics, psychology, and from delivering online classes to facilitating discussions Alumni Magazine computer science, with a focus on the interfaces of these and collaboration between students, as well as ways to fields. encourage and support them in self-guided learning. Master of Arts in Education Policy and During the 1st week faculty was working through five modules which included Management the videos from our invited expert, a trainer of this PD workshop - Dr. The program is designed for teachers, educational Monica McEnerny, Ed.D. in Educational leaders, administrators, and other educational Leadership and Policy Studies, professionals seeking to extend and deepen their Associate Professor of Education at expertise in management policy, research in teaching and Castleton University, Vermont, USA. learning. It will provide the knowledge and skills required Week 2 was devoted to Work on the to enhance teaching, leadership and administration roles Moodle platform with five KIMEP peer within the educational field. tutors. The 3d week ended up with Individual Projects & Assessment sessions with KIMEP faculty members. Doctor of Philosophy in Education Policy Turning teaching materials and methods into a digital and Management format due to COVID-19 at a very short notice was a big challenge in the mid-Spring Semester. Thanks to the In the increasingly dynamic and complex world of workshop conducted under the umbrella of CHE, KIMEP education, a crucial need exists for better knowledge faculty members designed pedagogically sound and about how schools and school systems, from early engaging online courses for Fall 2020 to provide best childhood to higher education, can be organized and led quality online education and support to KIMEP students. most effectively. 11 News from Executive Education Center

Despite world pandemic lockdown and all Pre-MBA Program economic downturns, EEC stayed strong and For the past few months, the world was changing and remained fruitful. Below are some of the adapting to the new challenges brought by CoVid-19, so was Executive Education Center. For 26 years, EEC was highlights of the year. actively providing professional programs to individuals and companies, which include Executive MBA, Mini MBA and Leadership programs. With the drastic experience, Russian cohort opening in Almaty EEC presents brand new professional program that ensures equipping participants with up-to-date business On February 26, 2020, Executive MBA program opened knowledge and skills in only 5 months’ period. its 13th Russian cohort in Almaty. The opening Ceremony was traditionally held in EEC with the opening speech Pre-MBA program is derivative of all MBA programs in from the Dean of Bang College of Business, Dr. Ho Young the market and has inherited the most necessary course Lee, the Associate Dean of EEC, Dr. Nadeem Khalid load, and thus, is the shortest MBA program. “Pre-MBA” and VPAA Dr. Gilber Linne. The students of the new is a professional development program which enhances cohort have extensive experiences in business areas as participants from business and nonbusiness related areas banking, logistics, natural resources and entrepreneurial to hone key concepts for Business Strategy, Innovation, experience. The companies they come from include: Business Communication (English), Finance & Accounting, USKO, KazMinerals, Kazatomprom, KazMunaiGaz and Economics and Business Plan Development. It allows other international and local organizations. We wish our professionals from various areas to attain practical

Alumni Magazine new cohort participants the best knowledge gaining business expertise and leverage it in their workplace experience at KIMEP, personal and career growth after and beyond. With this program you can professionally program completion! develop business skills and prepare yourself for higher academic qualifications in business areas in 5-months’ time span. First Pre-MBA cohort is expected to launch in the first week of October.

12 Pre-MBA program benefits: • 8 Interactive modules with a team of international professionals • Relevant exercises for implementing the gained knowledge • Real life business examples, including selecting and reviewing a relevant firm • Lab sessions to support learning and group interaction • Harvard Business Case at the end of the program • Guest speakers • One optional Abroad module International Module

The biggest achievement of Executive Education Center in 2020 is closing deal with Universiti Utara Malaysia and Malaysian Government to organize international module. The Malaysian international Module includes studying two modules in ‘Triple Crown’ university, four industrial visits to biggest Malaysian enterprises and travelling opportunity.

Universiti Utara Malaysia is KIMEP-partner university and holds ‘triple crown’ status which means it possesses the most prestigious business accreditations such as AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB. The highly qualified professors and business experts will teach participants of the MBA programs. Alumni Magazine

Apart from academic facilities, participants will also have an opportunity to visit: Boh Tea- biggest tea plantation in Malaysia, Air Asia Headquarters, Proton Car Manufacturing and Air Composite- airplane manufacturer. The agreement with all parties are come to end and after world passes the CoVID-19 pandemic, KIMEP Executive MBA and Pre-MBA students will be able to join international modules full of engaging coursework and fascinating travelling opportunity.

13 OFFICE OF QUALITY ASSURANCE AND INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH 2020 IQAA INSTITUTIONAL AND PROGRAM INDEPENDENT AGENCY FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE IN EDUCATION - RANKING RANKING IQAA RANKING We are proud to announce that according to the results of 2020 National Institutional and Program Ranking CERTIFICATE proves that of HEIs conducted by Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (IQAA, www.iqaa.kz), KIMEP JSC “KIMEP University” University won the 1st place on institutional level is ranked among Humanitarian-economic universities in 1-st in the National Ranking of the Best Humanitarian and Economic Kazakhstan. HEIs of Kazakhstan-2020

President Sholpan Kalanova

IQAA Independent Agency for Quality Assurance in Education RANKING www.iqaa-ranking.kz (IQAA) provides comprehensive assessment for the Nur-Sultan, 2020 RI-A № 32/2020 academic performance of the university using the data provided by universities and obtained from independent sources.

Национальный рейтинг лучших гуманитарно-экономических вузов KIMEP University with its highest score (99.92 out of 100), Казахстана – 2020. Итого once more topped the list of the best humanitarian- Место Наименование вуза Итого, % economic universities of Kazakhstan. In 2020, institutional 1 Университет КИМЭП 99,92 ranking methodology included 5 primary indicators and Карагандинский экономический университет 2 94,13 KIMEP University scored maximum number of points Казпотребсоюза

Alumni Magazine in each of them. Alumni employability level and alumni 3 Алматы Менеджмент Университет 81,64 assessment of the alma mater were very important 4 Казахско-Американский свободный университет 70,73 criteria in ranking, along with employers, student Казахский университет экономики, финансов и 5 70,56 международной торговли and expert assessment. KIMEP University left behind 6 Академия «Болашак» (г.Караганда) 68,43 other competitive HEIs and proved its commitment to 7 Университет «Туран-Астана» 67,49 excellence.

Twenty one KIMEP programs participated in IQAA Program Ranking 2020 and all of them won medal positions. Ten KIMEP University academic programs were ranked as #1 among all Kazakhstani universities, eight academic programs won the #2 and 3 programs were ranked as #3 in Kazakhstan. Bachelor Program Rank Master Program Rank Economics 1 place MBA 1 place Marketing 1 place Executive MBA 1 place International Law 1 place International Law 1 place Management 1 place Accounting and Audit 1 place Accounting and Audit 1 place Public Administration 2 place Finance 1 place International Relations 2 place Public Administration 2 place Arts in Foreign Languages: Two Foreign Languages 2 place International Relations 2 place International Journalism 2 place Jurisprudence 2 place Marketing 3 place Journalism 2 place Finance 3 place Economics 3 place 14 QS World University Rankings 2021 This year, KIMEP has been included in the top 1000 QS World University ranking for the first time!

QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) is a British company specializing in the analysis of higher education institutions worldwide. QS World University Rankings is regarded as one of the most influential and most widely viewed university rankings in the world. Annually, the QS Agency analyses the performance of approximately 1500 HEIs worldwide, including oldest and prestigious universities such as Harvard University, MIT, Oxford University, etc.

World university ranking assesses institutions by criteria such as academic and employer reputation, faculty/ student ratio, citations per faculty, international student ratio, and international staff ratio. The «International Faculty» was recognized as the strongest indicator of KIMEP (82.9 out of 100 points). In QS World University ranking 2021, KIMEP University ranked 751-800 among 1604 universities around the Being among 10 Kazakhstani universities included in QS world. KIMEP landed along with London South Bank World University Ranking 2021, KIMEP will further strive University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Oklahoma to enhance its competitiveness and quality of education State University and left behind such western universities services in order to contribute to the prosperity of our as Glasgow Caledonian University, Birmingham City country. University, , Texas Tech University, Kyoto Institute of Technology, etc. (https:// www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings/world- Alumni Magazine university-rankings/2021).

15 Oracle Day at KIMEP University

The company specializes in the release of database On February 27, 2020, KIMEP University management systems, middleware and business applications (ERP and CRM systems, specialized industry hosted an Oracle Corporation team on applications). The company’s most famous product is Oracle Database, which the company has been producing campus. KIMEP U became an institutional since its foundation. Since 2008, the corporation has partner of Oracle Academy. mastered the production of integrated hardware and software systems, and since 2009, as a result of the takeover, Sun Microsystems has become a manufacturer Oracle Academy is the educational project of Oracle of server hardware, before that the company produced Corporation, the world leader in IT sphere. Many leading only software. Universities in many countries collaborate with Oracle Academy, the project has helped more than 6.5 million Branches of the corporation are located in more than 145 students worldwide in career development in today’s countries. The headquarters of the corporation is located digital economy. in the United States, in California, near San Francisco.

Oracle Academy offers advanced computer science The company was represented on campus by Rustem education to disseminate knowledge and promote Taishibayev, General Director, Oracle Kazakhstan. Rustem innovation, skills development, and sociocultural diversity is KIMEP alumus. We used the chance to interview in the IT field throughout the world. Rustem.

Participation in the Oracle Academy gives opportunity - Why did you choose KIMEP? What memories stand

Alumni Magazine for students and instructors to get training in information out from your time at KIMEP? technologies at all levels. It provides access to a variety of resources that can be used during training and Since 1997 I was working in national and international non-commercial research work related to theoretical companies on business development positions and training and higher education. These resources include managing regional offices (ALSI company, Xerox Central technologies, curriculum and study software, materials for Asia representative office). The search for available MBA conducting seminars for students and training teachers, programs that are on-site, local and high ranked showed and for obtaining Oracle industry certification and exam that KIMEP MBA program was the most appropriate. preparation. Students gain skills in IT and business and Before making such a conclusion I had tested several become familiar with industrial software that is used different business schools by visiting their classes. in hundreds of industries, and teachers keep up with technological progress and improve their skills. - Do you have any memories of outstanding professors? Oracle (Oracle Corporation) is an American corporation, the second largest producer of software (after Microsoft), We had very a interesting course – Franchising basics the largest producer of software for organizations, a and strategy. Professor Mr. Philipp Perdue, who worked major supplier of server hardware. in Reagan’s administration, gave us excellent classes how to evaluate franchisee businesses and to read correctly financial reports. Thanks to him, reading standard annual bank reports in newspapers we predicted Valut Transit bank and other banks failure, that saved millions of dollars to our companies

16 - How did KIMEP education help to build your career?

I can not say that I am very career oriented. Since the beginning 2000-s I worked as Deputy Regional Director in Xerox, Sales Director in ALSI company, managing director in 11 countries in Dell, and last 11 years running the Oracle office in Kazakhstan. I had a number of opportunities to build my career in Europe and the Middle East, but decided to have the work-life balance here, in Almaty, whitch makes me happier than the title on my business card and the bank account numbers. KIMEP MBA helps a lot to structure own corporate experience and develop the helicopter view of business I was running

- Do you stay in touch with your classmates?

No.

- What would your advice be to current students?

It can be based only on my experience – to love your job, 100% focus on goals and results, to build and develop the circle of things that really matter – family, friends, love, health, knowledge, skills, hobbies, spirit and society. Sure, every human being knows this, but it easy to mislead your internal compass.

- What personality/ personalities influenced your life Alumni Magazine most? - How do you manage stressful situation?

Mom. She was fighting for her life and her kid’s Like in the old proverb: “If the problem is properly happiness almost 13 years despite doctors` verdict to live evaluated it is not a problem, it is spending”. First of all , a maximum 1 year. And she stayed the real human and you evaluating it from different sides: time, money, other loved the world and people. She passed away in 2018. resources to fix it, risk management – consequences can appear in the future and definitely focusing to solve, but - What are your major motivations in career and life? not to postpone.

Depended on period of life and current situation in - What qualities do you respect in a leader? every particular part of life. When I was younger – in the regional director’s Jacket (slang), relations with friends, Personal responsibility, professionalism, be a human girlfriend, good education, later family, kids, money, being stability. Now – society, how you can support it. Nothing new -just remember to stay happy if you consider all things mentioned in the answer #3

17 - What are your hobbies? - What are major challenges of our time and the most interesting trends? Boxing. I had serious sport results when was younger. Now I call my exercises glamour sparring. Chess, reading, The world is too small and borderless. the peace is too yachting. I have the skipper license, but prefer to stay a fragile and depends on political freaks with unpredictable sailor on boat. behavior. The information is too accessible and limitless, the private live is such ephemeral under Big Brother` - What books are you reading now? control, and we are getting signs – new deceases, private information leakages, ## of military, religion and social Re-reading Antifragile by Nassim Taleb- there are some conflicts. And it is great challenge again to start to learn good things, but the language needs some improvement, how to play big politics the fair game, to remember the The Stoic by Dreiser’s – the strong thing , 1000 and 1 real human being values. From one side we have the nights – lovely. global trends such as globalization, global resources and labor market ,from other side we see the governments` - Do you mentor, coach young employees? disability to defend own countries from migration, deceases and war conflicts impact. We see how the Oracle has the great practice “Follow the shadow” when artificial intelligence, added reality, machine learning, you can during several weeks be together with your blockchain and other independent technologies are specially chosen highly experienced counterpart with developing. From another side we couldn’t predict what tremendous business results at all his/her internal and information technologies consequences we will face with. external meetings, presentations, working situations. I had it in Athens with Greece Managing Director. No, but - What is the best advice that you ever have got and in life I have several students do you follow it?

- What challenges does your company face? Who are In the disputable situation If you can step back to help the main competitors of your company? your opponent make decision or to grab a fruit first or to solve the problem, step back. Yes, I’m using it and usually Oracle is the leading IT company in the world. We are in it brings much more results in the future

Alumni Magazine the rapidly changing digital world environment. Every day the company faces with strong competitiveness, global - Do you continue to study? challenges, government regulations, piracy. From other side all mentioned challenges are great opportunities Sure. We have number of professional classes, I have my that give to the world new solutions and answers to the mentor in life and reading. global challenges via our new products, and instruments. I think all IT companies, such Google, IBM, Microsoft, SAP, Amazon and others in the same ocean of challenges.

18 KIMEP University organized Donor Recognition Ceremony on January 25, 2020

Sponsors and donors provide invaluable support to At the Ceremony sponsors, representatives of 20 KIMEP U. companies and foundations met students –scholarship recipients. KIMEP U President Dr. Bang awarded the Recognizing these individuals and companies provides sponsors with memorable plagues to express our a visible acknowledgment of the importance that their gratitude for partnership, support and investment in contributions have made to our University. Whether the education. Students got scholarship certificates. Students contributions were monetary, in-kind services, products, and parents expressed their gratitude to sponsors. time, sharing knowledge and skills or another type of support, the Ceremony ensured that they know how After the official part and the photo session were overall much the KIMEP community appreciates their support. participants of the ceremony were invited to stand up reception to communicate with sponsors, students, parents, KIMEP administrative staff. Alumni Magazine

19 Alumni Mentorship Program: the results of the first year

In modern business literature, there’s often a clear Corporate Development Department separation found between categories of “dream”, “desire” and “goal”. Briefly described, desire is a more detailed launched Alumni Mentorship Program in image of a dream, in which there are already deadlines and goals set. Thus, we understand that on the basis of April 2019. In this article we would like to desire, a goal is formed, i.e. desire is what begins to move us toward a specific goal. And the goal has an effective introduce to you opinions of our mentor, factor in our movement towards the dream - this is Valeriy Dorjiyev, Class 1995 and 5 BCB achieving the final result. And achieving the final targeted result is always based on one’s personal responsibility, students- mentees on the new program. since the goal stipulates dynamic actions at the present moment – right here and right now, at this very time - not in the bright and distant future.

Valeriy Dorjiyev, Class 1995 I think that in the mentorship program launched a year ago, all of the above categories - dream, desire and goal “A dream - or a goal” - are in place, because during the initial communication of the mentor and the student, when the first discussion about a student’s expectations to the mentorship program takes place, both mentors and mentees share an adjustment of perceiving these categories. Primary expectations of students relate both to issues of

Alumni Magazine searching for their right future profession and career, and to issues of developing new personal skills, and analyzing own self-esteem and expectations to life.

This program is a continuation of teaching practical knowledge of managing business to the best undergraduate students, with a focus on personal growth, based on close communication of a mentee and a mentor - a KIMEP graduate already having some business experience and specific knowledge in a certain field. In my opinion, the past year of the mentorship program was a new and interesting experience, both for the mentors themselves and for the students selected to take part in the program. The fact that a person can and should dream at any age is a natural, positive and pleasant state of a person, to Final meetings held by the mentorship program which there is no impact in the form of an aggressive administrators with students and mentors showed that reaction of the surrounding world. Although the dreamed this program is an effective additional practical tool in itself is an abstract desire, a mental image rather - it is developing a student’s understanding of the specifics directly related to the real world. Most of us dream in of building relationships within companies operating in childhood and even carry our dreams through our lives. Kazakhstan. These include issues of developing personal competencies, of analyzing the market trends of strategic development of specific sectors of the global and Kazakhstani economy, as well as the new requirements and conditions for hiring professional staff. 20 In the conclusion, I would like to express my deep Moreover, Valeriy Fedorovich taught us reading gratitude to the Corporate Development Department between the lines, which means making conclusions for the opportunity given to me to take part in the and predictions related to regional and world business. mentorship program as an invited mentor, and also Before the program, I was not following the business to say many thanks to my students for our close news, oil prices, stock indexes, exchange rate movements. communication and for their interest shown in our joint Currently, I am able to extract economic value from dialogue regarding business management and personal articles and formulate arguments on demand and supply development. in various markets. In addition, we set various personal tasks to understand better what conditions we require from a future job. For example, I started keeping personal Teimur Shakirov, mentee revenues and expenses accounting in order to realize my salary size need and separate some job offers. To start, I joined the Mentorship program because of two reasons. Firstly, I had doubts in a particular sphere Last summer, I faced a problem with of finding an of finance I am to dedicate my career, efforts and time. internship. I was interested in ’s financial Initially, I enrolled in a bachelor of a finance degree at department, due to my knowledge of the aviation sphere. KIMEP with a huge interest in stock markets and portfolio Valeriy Fedorovich recommended me opening hh.kz management. As it turned out later I could not find account as well as LinkedIn to start searching for more responses to my questions. Secondly, I did not form a vacancies that might be interesting to me. He once said, group of desired companies to work for after graduation. “a frog comfortably living at the bottom of the well will I was not well informed about opportunities in the local never see the ocean”. Today, thanks for these accounts labor market and shared many illusions of my generation as well as open house days provided by the companies related to the world of business. I decided that the and KIMEP, I am well aware of the local labor market program could help me with these issues. demands and offers. I want to join financial deal advisory departments of either KPMG or PWC, not just because My mentor, Valeriy Dordzhiyev, has an enormous of Big4, but due to my deep interest, skills in M&A, and experience in the banking sector and financial financial modeling. management, organizational behavior. At our first meeting, we, mentees, introduced our interests, goals Mentees initiated meeting when we accumulated enough Alumni Magazine and favorite courses at KIMEP. For the next time, we questions to ask the mentor. We contacted through prepared assignment essays on the topic of personal Whatsapp group and chose a suitable time for everyone. accomplishments and failures. This assignment allowed The majority of our meetings were held in campus, and our mentor to realize whether we learn lessons from twice we met at café. Balzhan Suzhikova and Raushan failures or nor and whether our goals are ambitious Kanayeva from CDD organized the second meeting at the enough. Surely, getting used to not only achievements café on 21 October 2019 to discuss informally the stage but also mistakes and uncertainties is one of the keys to of the progress we are in. In fact, I felt assistance from the success. Corporate Development Department during the period of the program. For which I am grateful to them. During our Then, we met many times to learn insights about periodical meetings with the mentor, we discussed how interrelationships between a manager and a subordinate. close we are to the goals and what measures might be We learned that any rational manager has universal helpful to take. requirements for his/her subordinates. They are of common knowledge, but, in addition, our mentor The mentor is very similar to a book. The difference is recommended taking the initiative to cover extra that he/she communicates information in a much easier responsibilities and expressing your way of thinking to way to get. The mentor can share personalized practical bosses. He pointed out that a typical boss will promote advice, whereas books are always universal. To improve the one who can replace him with fewer problems. We the further flow of the program, I suggest considering built an open dialogue with Valeriy Fedorovich and online conferences via Zoom or Skype to increase the created a common group chat to share information number of possible meetings. All my suggestions to related to the next meetings as well as business articles the new mentees I will share during our planned online and forecasts. This data exchange was useful as I discussion. processed it into knowledge, which creates the value of a professional. 21 In conclusion, as a graduating student, I see that a half mentor who is from the same industry, as me. But I had of my ID16 class, unfortunately, has no understanding my own issues back then. I was really insecure and I did of where, why, and how they will work. Many just follow not have any confidence in myself. I had no ambitions, the stream. I see KIMEP as producing limited and no goals, no dreams (sadly, but true). At that time, I was superior talents. I believe this program is able to create just studying what I was told to study, I was not thinking a bridge between student generations that will help about my future, or what should I do in order to improve fresh graduates making more decisive choices in their myself? Nothing. And on that first ever meeting with our careers. With no doubt, I want to express my respect and mentors, I realized that were my weakest points. Not my appreciation to Valeriy Fedorovich for such mentorship. technical skills, but my soft skills. Who am I as a person? I am satisfied with the program results and believe it is Or what I want to achieve in my career? There were many worth developing. questions I did not have answers to. So, that evening I wrote an email to Balzhan Suzjikova, CDD, that I want to be a mentee of Larissa Yurievna, she is the person, who Zhaniya Khairulla, mentee can motivate, inspire, shake you up to open your inner potential. And I never regretted it. Larissa Yurievna is the When I started thinking of what should I write in my most amazing person I have ever met in my life so far. summary of experience I got from one-year mentorship I am endlessly thankful to her for everything she did to program, I decided to look back, one year ago, March of me. All our meetings were held individually, one mentee 2019, who was Zhaniya? at a time, because she wanted us to open up to her, so that we could work more effectively. In fact, she is a very I remember the time I received an email about the busy person! But she still managed to do that. I really mentorship program at BCB. I found out I was one of the appreciate she was finding her time to talk with us (me only few students who were suggested to take part in and her other mentee). And that what happened to me, the mentorship program. At first, I had no idea what is I was really shy at our first meeting, but I opened up and mentorship program, should I take the opportunity and told everything I was thinking about my future, my plans, take part in the mentorship program? Or it’s just a waste my life, my fears and my weaknesses, and in generally, of time? Yes, I had a lot of questions back then. So, after what I want to take from this mentorship program. And thinking a lot about this opportunity, I decided to take I have to say, this worked very well. After every meeting

Alumni Magazine part in this mentorship program. And right now, I am I had an extreme boost in my ambitions, self-confidence extremely happy that I did. The person I was one year and energy. Larissa is a person, who shares only positive ago and the person I am right now are two completely vibes, she is the person who can say at any moment different people. I believe it was some kind of a destiny to of your life, that: “YOU CAN, AND I BELIVE IN YOU, SO be chosen for the first ever mentorship program at BCB. JUST DO IT!”. Larissa Yurievna always sent me dozens Because right now, I feel so grateful for everyone and for of interesting, useful information and articles about everything. current situation in the industry. I learned a lot about the industry, what employers look for in a candidates or what On our first meeting, we met with all mentors and just skills should I learn to be flexible and in order to strive had a really interesting conversation. We introduced to be successful. As HR manager, she really knows her ourselves to our mentors, but from the whole industry. In this one year I had 30+ interviews, tests and conversation we needed to choose, who we want to have presentations, internship offers, and I had an internship as a mentor. Both mentors I saw that day made me really in one of the biggest holding companies in Kazakhstan, happy. They were really welcoming and friendly, and what but what is the most important from this? It is the fact I liked most about it, they shared their career experience, that from each interview, each test, each conversation which helped us to identify whom we relate more. I with professionals I was gaining more experience, I was remember I was really nervous about that meeting; it becoming more and more confident and I finally started was something new to me. When I saw Larissa Yurievna, I overcoming my fears. I started reading a lot, now, reading liked her at the very first sight, she was so charming and is one of my favorite things to do, I am into healthier nice, at that moment I just felt, that she is the person, lifestyle, what I like most about myself right now is that who I can trust and from whom I want to learn a lot. I learned something new, my goals are not only in the finance industry, but I have some plans on other fields I think mentorship program is conceived differently for too, I found what I am good at, and what can help me everyone, every person has weak points to work on, and in the future. I also keep identifying what should I still as a finance student, it would be fair if I was choosing a be working on in order to improve myself. Right now, 22 I am so much into positive energy. I learned how to I get my diploma. So our first meeting with mentors stop panicking or worrying about the future. Instead, I already proved very much fruitful. Each mentor held an learned how to properly plan my future. Now I have high excellent background in his career, and each of them ambitions, my interests have changed, I gained more self- were unique and fascinating. I chose Baurzhan Issayev , confidence and now I have big plans on my future. When our alum, as my mentor because he was only available you have dreams and goals in life, it is so much easier online and I knew that inconvenience would deviate to live. Comparing myself now to who I was one year other mentees, leaving me a chance to be one to one ago, I see how this mentorship program changed me to with my mentor, and that happened. Baurzhan works in become completely different person, person who knows a prominent international pharmaceutical company and that she can achieve her goals in the future. And I do not he was the youngest among other mentors. Straightly stop on what I have achieved in one year, I know that I after our first meeting he set a friendly tone, encouraging have to keep constantly working on myself so that I can me to treat him as a peer friend. That surely facilitated always have goals to achieve. our communication and paved the way towards sincere comradeship, I appreciated that. He shared a great deal I want to dedicate this last paragraph to everyone, who I of valuable information, and shifted my perspective on met through this mentorship program. First of all, I want some things. We talked about the future perspectives to thank Balzhan Suzhikova for sending me an email in finance and after that I changed my major from inviting to take part in this mentorship program. Whole marketing to finance. Our second meeting was conducted year you were with us, babysitting and always helping in Almaty and we discussed the pros and cons of starting us, you are very welcoming and good person, if not you, your own business, the topic which was very interesting I would have been scared to accept the invitation for the for me and also talked about pursuing a career. After mentorship program. Secondly, I want to thank other that meeting I decided for myself that I will go for career mentees, for creating friendly environment, we became rather than business. Eventually, our communication friends throughout this year, maybe it is a blessing, that was challenged because of time zone and his work, and every student was really friendly and welcoming. I want so I was compelled to transfer to Valeriy Dorjiyev. He to thank all our mentors, who took part in this. It was was a whole high level person – wise, sharp, intelligent completely voluntary, but I really appreciate your work, and experienced man. I want to highlight his sincere time and effort you made into this mentorship program. willingness to share his information and empirical

And of course, I want to show my gratitude to the best knowledge. Our discussions raised me up to the new Alumni Magazine mentor ever, my mentor, Larissa Yurievna. If not her, I stage, enabling me look at things broader. He assigned would have still been very insecure and boring person. me a task of writing an essay on “what do you think Thank you so much for choosing me as a mentee, for your weak and strong qualities are.” At our first meeting being always there for me, that I could always text you he read an essay and pointed to some mistakes in my and you help me anytime, thank you for every meeting thinking and explained how things work in the career we had, for every word you say, for cheering me up all life. He easily crashed my long held beliefs and directed of this time. I never regretted my decision of choosing my focus to new, mature and more important ones. I can you as my mentor, and I will never forget the person who feel my personal growth over this short period of time. impacted my life in a very positive way. Maybe I am a That evening I walked out of the building feeling myself bit emotional, because I am graduating from KIMEP this fresh and inspired to take actions. The lessons that both semester, but whatever, I am still really grateful that my mentors gave me led to my subsequent actions of social university gave me such a huge opportunity to work with leadership and activism. Indeed, I earned valuable lessons the best people. Thank you! from my both mentors that ingrained a strong personality in me. Therefore, I would like to thank the hosts-CDD for such an excellent program and mentors for their efforts Bekzhan Elebesov, mentee and guidance.

My name is Bekzhan and I am proud to say that I am a recent graduate of KIMEP’s mentorship program. I Aruzhan Shalkhybayeva, mentee liked the initiative at once when I had received the email about the program . The hosts of this program aptly felt The mentorship program at KIMEP University was one of my desperate condition for some career and personal the unique programs that I participated. This program guidance, as I wasn’t sure of what I will be doing after helps students to find a mentor who can guide a student 23 and help to grow and develop professionally and from the professional perspective I needed real advices personally. Owing to this program young people would from senior professionals. So, during the selection maintain a positive relationship with adults that can be process six of students were chosen to participate in the advantageous when they start to work. Furthermore, mentorship program and I was one of them. The first the mentors are our KIMEP Alumni’s who are highly meeting was assigned in order to get acquainted with qualified, knowledgeable and experienced in different our mentors and understand with whom we would work areas. The fact that they graduated from KIMEP University during the next year. From the beginning I understood is beneficial as they clearly understand what our needs that I wanted to work with Larissa Yermoshkina. Her are, give us valuable advice in terms of choosing future presentation about her university life and career path career. attracted me. She had a great experience of working in international and local companies. Also, she was Having a mentor, who can help you at any time, lead a professional in my future work area. I think that you and direct you is essential in during the educational connection between mentor and mentee can be felt process. At the beginning of the program, every student from the beginning. That’s why I wanted to work with her had an opportunity to choose one mentor among three. during the next year. If you want to have understanding Each mentor works in different spheres such as HR, of what you will do, first, you need to get to know each Banking and Oil and Gas, so we had a chance to broaden other better and create your own unique connection. our horizons in these areas. My mentor was Valeriy That’s what we did at the beginning of our collaboration. Dorjiyev, who worked most of his time in the banking Larissa told me about her experience in companies. industry and audit companies, like Eurasian bank, Zaman She explained me in details what was her work there. Bank and KPMG. Fortunately, me and my groupmates Also, she explained what management is and how it Teimur Shakirov and Bekzhan Elebesov, had been working works in real life. Larissa helped me to understand what with met with Valeriy Dorjiyev for one year. During our actually I want, in which field I want to work and which weekly meetings, we covered different topics and every type of work I want to do. During this program, she meeting was informative and productive. Moreover, we helped me a lot: she gave me advices regarding how to had group meetings as well as individual ones, where develop certain skills, explained some techniques (“Five to discuss our future career plans. Besides meetings, whys”), recommended certain books, which helped me our mentor created the whatsapp group chat, where he to understand the work of sales manager, advised how

Alumni Magazine usually sends articles, links to websites and books to be to use knowledge, received from our LDP (Leadership read. Due to this program I can clearly see what my future Development Program) guest speakers. If I did not is and the further steps I should take. understand some materials from our lectures or I just wanted to know more, she always helped me. Larissa I believe that the mentorship program does not only made an enormous contribution to my development. It supports students throughout the year, but something were not always direct actions, sometimes it was indirect. ongoing. I am grateful that my mentor was always ready I mean that sometimes just some of her words that I to give advice and share his knowledge and experience took into account influenced me positively. Thanks to with mentees. Additionally, during the mentorship her I became more communicative and more confident program I had a great opportunity to meet new people in my decisions. She also made a partial contribution to and expand my network. my development as a leader. All of the progress that I achieved thanks to her I can see now in my university life. I hope that it will help me in my future work. I would also Aigerim Baimukhambetova, mentee like to have a connection with her further and be sure that I have a right to ask her advice regarding the work I remember the day when I and other students received in the future. Since I am sure that more questions appear letter about the launch of the first mentorship program when I will work. among BCB students. In order to participate in this program students were required to submit their CVs I want to thank Larissa Yermoshkina for her support, and short essays. That what I did after understanding effort and time that she spent helping me grow both what this program was about. I identified for myself why professionally and personally. I also want to thank KIMEP I needed this program. First of all, I was almost at that University, CDD and especially Balzhan Suzhikova for stage when you are trying to find out more about your launching mentorship program and giving students a future work area. Also, at the stage of building yourself unique opportunity to develop themselves with the help of professionals. 24 Alumni Magazine

To highlight volunteer activities worldwide and encourage more people to join in, the Republic of Kazakhstan proclaimed 2020 as the Year of Volunteers. It had provided a valuable opportunity to heighten public awareness and support for volunteerism. Volunteering is an important part of the development of society and is necessary for the formation of conscious and active citizens. This activity not only helps the society, but also gives the volunteers themselves incredible experience and development. Our students and alumni have always been active volunteers, from their student days to the present day. Commemorating the Year of Volunteer we devote below material to 11 volunteers-KIMEP alumni, whose activities we know about. It was made before the global pandemic began so these volunteers tell about their experience in general. Our alumni created many volunteer initiatives, so we apologize to those who are not here because we did not have the information about them. 25 Igor Romanenko, MA 2001

Igor has been a volunteer all his life. Maintenance of a football club for several years already, development of business projects in rural locations. He thinks it is not classic volunteering, but in terms of energy, time and financial costs it is much more than “I fed a hungry kitten today” from a well- known Soviet movie “Guest from the Future”. Igor earned respect for his charity deeds, not only for the revival of his native Ruzaevskaya land, but also for the professional development of football, by placing this sport among different ages of people at a high level.

He entered KIMEP in the fall of 1999. Since Igor studied in the United States on a scholarship from Soros Foundation, he was determined to continue further education in English. KIMEP was an ideal option - a prestigious higher educational institution, where courses were conducted in English, mathematical background, some subjects with elements and most of the professors were invited from abroad. of higher mathematics appeared to be not that easy. He remembers that he had no problems with the English Despite this, he was able to overcome all difficulties language, but had problems with Math. Since he had no and graduated from KIMEP with a Master’s degree in

Alumni Magazine Economics.

KIMEP graduates are in demand in the labor market and Igor accumulated huge professional experience working for more than 15 years in the leading banks of the country. Igor worked in the treasuries of four banks and for the last 8 years was the Treasurer of Kaspi Bank.

He perceives charity as the need to see happier people around and the need to realize that every single day he lives he brings some benefit. That is why Igor decided to change his work and settle in his small homeland, putting all efforts on the development of the sport. The first steps of his activity in this direction were the purchase of balls and uniforms. Then - a minibus to take the team to competitions. Recently he has been developing social infrastructure in the village - he opened a cafe, a hotel, a beauty salon, a supermarket. Although all establishments are commercial by its definition, in fact, for Igor they are also objects of patronage, since the volume of the market in a rural areas a priori does not allow counting on high profitability. And the main purpose of these projects for Igor is to be useful, not to search for the meaning of life, but to bring life to people. 26 Dauren Zholdasbayev, BSc 2003, MBA 2009

“Volunteer is a caring person who actually wants to change something for the better around him or her.”

At the time Dauren was finishing the school KIMEP was the most prestigious university in Kazakhstan. Nine students from his class passed the entrance exam at KIMEP. It was hard to study during the first year, grades were not good. However, during the second year, he understood how to concentrate on studies, and friends helped him to become more organized. Dauren remembers Hall 1 & Hall 2 where he had lectures; fun Additionally, Dauren is the head of the freediving club and disco parties there,full of fun. The library, where federation, founder of environmental trainings at schools, he and his friends prepared group projects. Overall, the and creator of the charity project called YARKOkross. university is the school of life. KIMEP taught him the best Thousands of citizens of Kazakhstan participate in the tools to apply in life. Finance and IT courses helped him charity run. There are special rules for runners - each during his first few years of work after graduation when participant should wear a white running outfit. Special he was working as a finance and IT analyst at the fuel volunteers throw a colored powder at participants, so company. However, the principles of business thinking that there are no white spots remaining on clothes when that were taught at KIMEP help to think broader and the runners finish the race. The event was organized with more strategic. Alumni Magazine the support of the city administration. The festival aimed at promoting a healthy life style especially among the Charity is about caring. Dauren admits that without this youth and served as an alternative way of spending free key principle society can not exist. His mission is to be time. The entrance fees were used to fund the planting of helpful, to make society a better place to live. Dauren is a trees, for instance, 280 seedings were planted at the Zoo general initiator of public association “Posadiderevo.kz” of Almaty and 120 seedings of birch, poplar and spruce which exists since 2013. The main goal of the republican were planted in Shymkent. The project was successfully non-profit organization is preservation and augmentation implemented in Almaty, Astana, Karaganda, Shymkent. of the green fund of our country as well as the environmental education of young generation. Dauren Moreover, Dauren is a proud volunteer of Ya Almatinec and his team are organizing more than 20 tree planting community. It is the society of volunteers contributing activities together with corporate partners and volunteers to the dynamic development of society and a healthy every year. lifestyle. All ideas of different charity projects appeared from various motives. He claims that somewhere he and his team saw an acute need, somewhere noticed the interest of sport or the implementation of a mass sport. After what, they suggested the ideas to the government authorities, searched for sponsors, or have themselves become sponsors. That is how all charity projects develop. These days Dauren plants the trees, teaches eco-circles at schools and participates in the food delivery to people in need during the quarantine, participates in environmental and public works projects, in the development of sport. He believes that a volunteer is a caring person who actually wants to change something around him or her. 27 Assiya Tulessova, BSS 2004, MPA 2005

She enrolled at KIMEP University, the cause, for instance, they collect Business Administration program, A volunteer is a person money for medical treatment for needy just to accompany friends. Assiya was people. She thinks that charity should also admitted to Kazakh Academy of who invests own time, be aimed at achieving the problem Architecture and Civil Engineering, solution and sustainability. Her fund but after consulting with her mother, resources to reach the works on ecological and educational she chose KIMEP and does not regret projects. In 2014 they have launched this decision. It was not so hard to goal which he or she air quality monitoring project with the study and she graduated with bachelor believes and considers goal to provide data on air pollution and master’s degrees within 4 years. in Almaty and one year later they She still remembers the University important. presented the app AUA. Assiya and professors, her first research paper for her team monitor the air, write and Academic Reading and Writing II class. The topic that Assiya chose for her research project was translate articles, interviews, and reviews on the topic. “Opposition Parties in Kazakhstan”. She is still surprised They also have a design thinking workshop where they that the professor gave her permission to choose such teach children to explore and find solutions for the kind of topic, because other local universities would never urban problems through design thinking. All projects are permit it. Her friend who was helping Assiya to conduct focused on community development with the goal to a survey and collect data almost got expelled from her create conscious, proactive and free society. In February university. 2020 they launched a petition for acceptance of the air pollution as the most important issue of Almaty. The Even though Assiya works outside her specialty, the petition had been signed by 30 thousand people. Another

Alumni Magazine received knowledge at KIMEP help her in current work, project called “With love in each loop” aimed to realize her fund` projects. the handmade items by pensioners. The fund conducted various workshops in knitting, pottery and preparing Assiya believes that charity can immoralize. She likes meals made from family recipes. to discover that a human being can be sensitive to the cause and is eager to help, make own contribution, but Assiya frequently served as a volunteer during her studies there is nothing that makes her feel more uncomfortable in Kazakhstan and abroad. She still remembers her than mass helplessness, especially when it comes to the best volunteering experience for San Francisco Bicycle system` changes. She does not want to be surrounded by Coalition. They usually organize an event to promote people who consider themselves a tiny cog in the system bicycle culture in town, teach children to ride a bicycle. of corruption. Assiya and her team often do everything She likes how clearly structured is the system to recruit, in their power to solve the problem rather than to find motivate, encourage volunteers.

28 Kamila Lukpanova, BAIJ 2009, MPA 2011

Her mom’s dream was to see Kamila at KIMEP. It was Kamila assumes charity as the mandatory part of life in the ‘90s , when KIMEP became the most prestigious that does not have to be announced to the whole world. university in Kazakhstan. Kamila had her own dream. A Kamila provided help to children from orphanages, dream to become a student of MGIMO University. But organized art auctions with the paintings drawn by it was a time of rise of skinhead attacks in Moscow, that disabled children, created different projects for autistic is why she rearranged her plans and became a proud children. She also provides support for students who student of KIMEP University. In early February she passed would like to study abroad by helping them to find and all exams still living in her hometown and late in March get scholarships. she already knew that she entered KIMEP, Faculty of Journalism. And right then she was gloriously happy. Last years she was working on a completely new Now she considers that choice as the best in her life. It project. Modernization of library spaces in Almaty. She was not difficult to study. On the contrary, she thinks it and her team have already upgraded Zhambyl youth was a very interesting period. In three years she was able library and five more libraries in Almaty. The main idea to graduate from the university. Already being 20 years of the project was to breathe new life into existent old she received her diploma in journalism and minor in libraries. Modernization of libraries opened the door marketing. She was enjoying every single day of her study to new cultural center for all citizens, especially young without having a break, even during summers she took generation, students and kids. If we compare library visits courses. within two years since re-opening, attendance increased ten times. Kamila came up with this idea after arrival from Kamila describes herself as a very active student: she abroad. Libraries in local universities were so organic in was the head in dormitory, the only female President of daily life. She was inspired by that and wanted to do the Student Government, the founder of KIMEP Pie magazine, same in Almaty. With the help of Public Fund supporting

Dr. Bang’s advisor, intern in Parliament and now she is “Kazakhstan 2050 Strategy” and local government the Alumni Magazine KIMEP alumna ambassador. She is sure that student life at idea became real. That social project is about education, KIMEP became the most colorful page in her life and laid culture as well as enlightenment. strong foundation to build a career. University applicants frequently hear from Kamila that KIMEP provides a lot Kamila serves as a volunteer, moreover, she thinks that of opportunities and improves self-confidence. After each person is a volunteer for family, colleagues, friends, graduating you feel like you are able to do everything, strangers. She participated in food distribution for you feel confidence in public speaking, ice breaking, veterans, in the New Year’s Eve party for orphanage kids. dealing with your boss or colleagues. Knowledge and Additionally, Kamila was deputy director for the 28th experience gained at KIMEP have proven to be invaluable. Winter World University Games in 2017, supervising 3000 volunteers. She still helps the League of Volunteers and assumes that volunteer is the most responsible citizen of the country and the whole world, who is ready to help financially and morally. Quality such as volunteer is inherent in everyone with no limits or age restrictions. She thinks volunteerism should be popularized, developed, promoted in society and she is glad that this year has been declared as the Year of Volunteer.

29 Saira Amantayeva, BSSPA 2010

Without any state support or support of commercial “Volunteer is a person who selflessly organizations, they do well on their own. Saira initiates charity events mainly for children with serious help people around, who sincerely loves illnesses and low-income families with many children. Additionally, she helps organizations, such as foundations his/ her country and the whole world.” “Artemka”, “Kobelek Balalar”, “Dom s Mayakom” and “Club Dobryakov” from time to time. Moreover, she has When Saira was finishing the school, there was no become “Run by Woman” representative recently. She alternative to KIMEP and her family financial position considers herself a feminist and came up with the idea allowed her to enroll to this University. She still clearly to create social brand of women. Probably, it is the first remembers group projects, papers, midterms. Hours project of it is kind in Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, people of work in the library and KIMEP canteen, where she who live in the south of the country, perceive “feminism” met her friends during breaks. The skills gained at the as the act of struggle with men. She is desperately trying management courses helped Saira to build her career to break that stereotype during heart-to-heart talks and more efficiently. Moreover, the courses of journalism on her Instagram page. Saira believes that our women led her to the profession where she was able to apply are highly intelligent, strong, kind and deserve better life, knowledge of news writing, interviewing skills. but many of them lack confidence. The aim of “Run by Woman” is to motivate women who would like to change Saira interprets charity as the sacred call from the their lives, but hesitate due to some obstacles, to help heart. It makes people better, much more sophisticated and support those who are in a difficult situation. It is in spiritual development. It does not matter if you her own initiative since she assumes that the women’s disclose your good doings to the whole world or keep potential is underestimated in Kazakhstan and the

Alumni Magazine it to yourself, the key point is the invaluable act of situation needs to be improved. kindness. Saira can easily balance business, voluntary work, and social activity. She is the founder of the non- governmental organization “League of Volunteers Y17” in Shymkent. Her volunteers participated in various projects, including support to veterans of the Second World War, they helped elderly people around the house; humanitarian assistance to victims in Arys, when the whole town was transformed into a volunteer center. They participate in citywide events, organize concerts for children in orphanages.

30 Davranbek Tashbayev, BSSPA 2011

local landmarks. All these ideas appeared spontaneously: “Volunteer Davranbek and his team were thinking about the city’s major is a strong issues and the ways of solving them fast. For instance, Almaty person with a has a big issue with drinking water. People do not have big heart and access to free of charge water in public places, they need to endless energy buy plastic bottles of water. that helps Davranbek and his good friend Galym Baitimbetov, founder of to do good Aqua Point, decided to create a fountain of drinking water, a year things.” later it was established at Arbat.

As you all know, COVID–19 is pandemic. The problems with hospitals, the lack of medical care for those who need it. Davranbek Davranbek entered KIMEP, CSS, having a dream to and his team decided to solve this problem by creating help people. The subjects he took, the internship in the online medical platform together with iDoctor.kz., helping Alumni Magazine Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan, active student people to consult with doctors online, using chats, audio life, awesome professors, charity projects he was involved & video calls absolutely for free. This new technology in: all that gave him a clear understanding of what he helps thousands of Kazakhstan citizens. would like to do after graduation.

In his understanding, charity, first of all, is about love. The wish to do good without expecting to get anything in return. Davranbek was not satisfied with many things in city: lack of clean drinking water, poor living conditions for disabled people, pollution. A year ago together with 10 other activists he set up a public association named “Global Shapers Almaty”. Shapers are people who cause changes in society. People who really care about what is going on in the world and, in particular, in their home town. Shapers change lives of people for the better with their actions and hard work. Davranbek thinks that small associations can have positive impact on thousands of Almaty citizens. Therefore, they set up Oasis Almaty и Almaty Info Spots. These are the projects that encompass the entire city. Oasis Almaty is a fountain of drinking water at Panfilov St., so Almaty citizens can freely drink clean water. Almaty Info Spots are informational tourist plaques written in 6 different languages, describing 31 Meruyert Tlebaldy, BAE 2012

Meruyert considers charity as uncompensated assistance. People just give their attention, time, money, love, care to people. Her recent projects involve the support of the Embassy of the US in Kazakhstan, for instance, the concert with the American band or master-class in freestyle for Paralympic Training Centre’s members. Earlier it was a project supporting students with disabilities in their social development. Meruyert also was a proud member of the Global Sports Mentoring Program with the support of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. It was a program where 17-18 delegations from various countries congregated to share knowledge on the development of the para sport. Mentors gave participants opprtunity to develop management and business skills in American sport environment and helped to form the vision of change.

Meruyert works in the National Paralympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan, helps to train disabled sportsmen to participate in the Paralympic Games and “Volunteer other international sports events. Meruyert prepares

Alumni Magazine para taekwondo development in Kazakhstan application is a person to date. Due to the current pandemic situation our para sportsmen need special support. with a big Meruyert remembers how volunteering has helped her soul.” during her student years.

Almost everyone had a dream of becoming KIMEP student at that time. KIMEP had such advantages as Volunteering is foreign professors, international curriculum, international students. Other local universities were not able to offer the best way to that level of education. Meruyert truly liked the campus and easily joined the university life. She recollects her spend your free student days at KIMEP as the best moments of her life. time. University empowered her. She still remembers the words of the Dean of her College that economists are able to work in different areas. Being a student, she studied various courses and was never afraid to be out of job, because graduates of Bachelor of Economics can easily in a short time adapt to varying conditions. The knowledge and skills she gained at KIMEP have helped her in all further career positions. Honestly, she thinks that knowledge comes with experience. 32 Kassiyet Omarova, MPA 2013

She became a volunteer in 2005 and has contributed significantly to the social development of people with disabilities by outstanding work

Kassiyet graduated from Almaty Technological University the project, promising them free of charge unforgettable in 1998 and received the diploma of “economist-manager”. city excursions. It was an absolute miracle. People with She studied in graduate school one year more. She started disabilities who rarely before left their houses got a unique to work as an economist until she lost her eyesight, and chance to enjoy the tour around the city. The project gave her dream to become a successful economist did not come participants so many emotions. There was a story about a true. Kassiyet began to work in the non-governmental 44-year-old man in a wheelchair who for the first time in organization and only then decided to apply to KIMEP his life took the ride in a glass elevator in Mall. He went up where she received a full scholarship to study Public to the last floor and was so happy. Administration. The most challenging part of learning One more project implemented with KIMEP student was to understand vast volumes of materials in English. volunteers was “Movie week for all”. Cinemas of Almaty The scholarship required to take 3 courses a semester - a collaborated with the foundation to allow free of charge heavy workload to her in the first few months, but later access for people with disabilities and accompanying she got used to that, and the learning process became people to movies. About 2000 people visited cinemas more interesting. Now she can easily say that it was the within the project. During 7 years “Arzhan” foundation best education in her life. She remembers that pleasant worked actively, implementing over 20 social projects for atmosphere where professors respect students, instructors people with disabilities. They worked closely with museums, support students’ opinion and creativity as well. Kassiyet cinemas, universities, transport companies, tourist agencies, successfully graduated from KIMEP and started to work international organizations, central and local governments. in the civil service at the Ministry of Investments and Development. She became the first civil servant with a Another project was called “Accessible Museums”. Kassiyet severe disability in Kazakhstan. She likes to be the first, she and her team jointly with the museums made tactile copies likes to meet challenges, likes to do things that no one has of paintings and audio description of 17 paintings for Alumni Magazine ever made before, and KIMEP gave her that opportunity. Kasteyev State Museum of Arts. They are available on a permanent base. Visually impaired visitors can touch the In her opinion, social work is the way of establishing justice tactile copies and listen to the description. The Ministry as well as developing a sense of dignity and respect for of Culture and almost all museums in Kazakhstan were those who experience difficulties in life. inspired by this project and started to organize their own In 2009 during her internship in Japan, Kassiyet was accessible exhibitions and events. supposed to present her project and implement it upon In 2017 “Arzhan” SF helped KIMEP students to make a short the return to Kazakhstan. She was inspired by the program video about the access ibility of subway in Almaty. Student where small groups of people with disabilities were able volunteers with closed eyes had to explore the road from to travel across Japan, visit sights and cultural events. the entrance to the subway till the train and back. The She thought it would be interesting to create something results of the experiment were placed on YouTube. similar in Kazakhstan, and that was how “Zholashar” project appeared. Student volunteers always were actively engaged in the “Arzhan” foundation initiatives. Their numbers varied from “Zholashar” became the first project of “Arzhan” foundation project to project. For example, “Movie Week for all“ had which was established in 2010. Kassiyet was the director of 120 volunteers, on other events the foundation needed 30 the “Arzhan” SF for a few years. This project involved more students, in some projects 2 or 3 volunteers were enough. than 30 volunteers, mostly KIMEP students. Together with KIMEP students helped the foundation with eagerness. volunteers and with support of “Sabi” foundation, Kassiyet worked on the project preparation for 5 months. “Arzhan” still has a lot of projects and ideas that need to be implemented. The most challenging part was that at that time in Almaty, there were no accessible buses, accessible Many things have changed in the past 10 years. Kassiyet tourist destinations even no single accessible public Omarova does an amazing job. Her plans now are to toilets. “Sabi” foundation provided buses for excursions; discover the issue of employment opportunities for people student volunteers prepared the guided tour, professional with disabilities, understand, how realistic it is for them to tour guides were also invited. It was a high–profile find a job. entertainment project. Kassiyet and her team the whole week persuaded people with disabilities to participate in 33 Amanat Mussin, BSSPA 2016

His life credo is to live a full life, in order to leave own Association of parents with children with disabilities is life’s mark. Live each moment as if it is the last day, a public association created by a group of enthusiastic realizing all your dreams. parents in far 1991. They decided to help their children get on feet back again, to socialize, to benefit from His wife Meruyert has always been his inspiration and the educational opportunities. This center, where Amanat main supporter in the hardest time of his life. She was the conducts trainings, has a goal to prepare young people to one who persuaded him to believe that he would be able get a high school diploma and enter universities. Amanat to enter the best university in Kazakhstan. And he did. represented Kazakhstan at the International Congress Amanat enrolled to KIMEP University and even got the on the Rights of People with Disabilities in the United University Presidential scholarship to study at the College Kingdom which was entitled “Nothing about us without of Social Sciences. English language courses taught by us”. He was invited to the United States to discuss the foreign instructors appeared to be the main challenge to issues of inclusive education. Amanat`s choice to study him. Occasionally he even had thoughts to withdraw from Public Administration at KIMEP helps him to implement KIMEP. Nevertheless, Amanat and his wife Meruyert went social projects changing our society. through all difficulties together. 16 years they have been happily married, with two wonderful kids: Altair, 15 years Amanat promotes interests and rights of young people old boy, who is interested in Politics and has very good with disabilities and he himself is a good example of how English language skills, and 12 years old girl Dameli, who to stay strong and move forward. is successful in Math and Physics.

Regardless of difficulties, the process of learning was interesting and productive. Due to his physical limitations,

Alumni Magazine it was hard to take notes and with professors’ permission, he started to audio record lessons and later on, in a quiet atmosphere, revise materials. Amanat has begun to think in English in his final year of study. He even remembers the case when he accidentally filled the questionnaire, which actually was in Russian, in English without realizing it. During the last two semesters he moved to the dormitory, because he wanted to graduate from the university as fast as possible without being distracted, but weekends he spent with his family. All the knowledge he got developed his critical thinking, he was able to clearly formulate his thoughts and express his point of view, structure action plan and communicate with people.

Amanat uses skills and knowledge he got at KIMEP in his everyday work as the active public figure, member of the Coordinating Council on issues of people with disabilities under the leadership of Almaty Akim. Amanat strongly believes that his mission is to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities.

34 Shakhzada Shogelbayeva, BMKT 2017

Shakhzada enrolled to KIMEP University in 2013 for the her, because the brand is the way of communication, second year of study. When she was at high school she it is about values, power of persuasion. She liked how had a plan to attend Nazarbayev University or Vienna professors encouraged, supported their students, State University, and impeccably followed the plan. She motivated to develop critical thinking. And now she can did not think about KIMEP at that time. First of all, due easily say that almost all received knowledge was crucial to the high tuition fee and impossibility of applying and helped her in different aspects of life, for instance, for a scholarship, which later turned out to be not true. she remembers the meaning of “opportunity cost” from However, fate just had its own plan regarding Shakhzada. macroeconomic course and it is helpful in the decision She had a dream one week before the announcement of making. results for admission to Nazarbayev University. She was sitting in a big classroom and clearly understood it was Shakhzada had two charity experiences in student life. not Nazarbayev University. In front of her tall and thin She taught English to children from low-income families, professor, as it turned out later it was Michael Konrad, organized donations, bought products for home for the was giving a lecture. It was a prothetic dream. Shakhzada elderly, whom she and groups of students visited on the failed to enter the desired university, so she enrolled 9th of May. She remembers how that elderly people were to Al-Farabi Kazakh National University and started to staying in bed and how gratefully they held students’ prepare to enter Vienna State University. She was not hands. It was a very emotional moment. Charity should satisfied with the education in the state university. She always come from the heart. To help others is to help lacked the English–speaking environment and academic yourself. People learn not to be selfish. Shakhzada does quality. Shakhzada frequently visited Zhambyl Youth not consider herself an experienced volunteer, but she Library to read books in English and one day she heard follows her inner voice and desire to bring more good how someone started to discuss scholarships at KIMEP. doings to the world in the nearest future.

Thus, she found out about U.S. – CAEF foundation that Alumni Magazine sponsors students from Kazakhstan and Central Asia. She immediately started to prepare for the next round of selection “Volunteer is a with the idea to attend person who can KIMEP. Active student life was forgotten. She look at the world was studying hard, writing essays, preparing through the heart, for interviews day and night and yes, finally she not the brain.” became a proud KIMEP student. KIMEP taught her that everything is possible. With skills and knowledge gained during studies, you can be wherever you want, create a world where you really want to live and yield benefits. Shakhzada studied brand management, it attracted 35 After her marriage Shakhzada moved back to Karaganda, they want to earn money through that conference, just where she was born. She gave birth to a daughter and like everybody else does and what that company would half year later released that she was missing atmosphere receive in return. Shakhzada and her friends smiled that was at KIMEP: guest speakers on a regular basis, lots without saying a word and left. This situation illustrates of ideas, knowledge, insights. She frequently watched that people perceive public conferences as a way to TEDx show on YouTube while walking out with her earn money. TEDx conferences are not about earnings, daughter and one day she met friends, who supported firstly, because it is a voluntary project, secondly, all the her thoughts on creating platforms for dialogue and proceeds from the ticket sales and sponsors go to the organizing forums on various acute issues. Shakhzada organization expenses. organized the very first conference which was called “Change”. They wanted to convey the idea that if you Together with volunteers she also created the group do not like something, then change it. Do not complain named “Change Karaganda” whith the goal to establish but make the real change. The number of viewers of the positive changes in social life of their city. Within the first TEDxShahterovAve reached 100 people. Shakhzada framework of the project she organized collecting and is happy that the first conference was warmly received buying of books to help orphanage in Temirtau city. by people in Karaganda. Citizens still ask her when is Ex–director of Karaganda Regional Junior Library named the next conference. It means that topics raised were after Zh. Bekturov, Gauhar Bekbalakova provide serious useful and interesting. It is a unique opportunity to hear support by sharing nearly 40 books of literature to the new ideas of local creative people, support them, join orphanage. their initiatives. Shakhzada acknowledges that she and her team now have the understanding of how public Shakhzada plans more good doings in the near future. life of town is developing and how they can promote It is fascinating to do good things, there is no guarantee it. The search process of speakers is another big part of that you will not fail, but the most challenging moment is preparation. To begin with, they form the preliminary when people are ready to support you and together you topics and research area, after that they discuss topics can change the world. with local activists, universities, contact media to find people with interesting and useful ideas. In addition, they receive and review applications of people who would like

Alumni Magazine to serve as a speaker, discover their ideas, meet face to face. It is labor-intensive, but very interesting process. Speakers of all ages and professions shared their opinion and experience, for instance, Kamila Rollan, former expert and consultant on inclusive education and protection of children’s rights, described how she was able to open the first center of inclusive . “Ideas that are deserved to be shared” – that is how the slogan of TEDx conferences sounds. It is important to maintain trust, because sharing of thoughts is compared to the breath of fresh air and a hope for a positive change for most of the regions. However, during preparation she faced difficulties in finding sponsors, many people, including directors of companies have not heard about TED and TEDx before, and for that reason they did not see the point of supporting the conference. Fortunately, Bolashak Association noticed them, realizing benefits of the new activity for the local community. TEDx it is not only about sharing ideas, but also about new meetings with people. Therefore, local young entrepreneurs who care about the development of their hometown became the sponsors of the conference. There even was an interesting case. Manager of a big constructing company asked them during the presentation of their project, if 36 Beknur Rakhmankulov, BLLB 2017

Beknur decided to choose KIMEP since his sister was studying there. Tuition fee discount A volunteer is a person for students from one family was available at who sacrifices to that time, that is why his contribute to something uncle suggested to cover payment for him and spiritually close to him to send him to KIMEP as well. Beknur realized or her. that it was his golden ticket to a bright future and was not mistaken. Well, it was difficult to study at the beginning, but he was the only one to blame for this. He was poor at time management, distracted by unnecessary things, but then one day everything changed. He Alumni Magazine met a very successful senior year student who taught him about time management, recommended books on the topic, and were announced. People were looking at the winners with his student life changed completely. Beknur realizes that awe and Beknur was seated behind the winners. He will he has received an incredible degree of knowledge at never forget the moment when his wards turned at once KIMEP. It allows him to easily do research, draft complex and looked at him with gratitude. Almost no one came legal and commercial documents and solve problems to Beknur to shake hands. All eyes were on the winners. without any stress. Need to be mentioned that besides Beknur was in the shadow, feeling himself adult and truly studies, he actively participated in various summer happy. He did not need public recognition to understand schools, one of which prejudged his future hobby – social that his impact made those guys strong. They, in turn, entrepreneurship. brought victory. However, another exciting moment was when Dr. Bang sent him official thank-you letter for that Beknur fondly remembers his student years, especially victory. when he and two sophomore students won important intellectual competition. According to the rules, Beknur He believes that charity is the help that includes two key could not participate in the competition, he was elements. First of all, the help should be directed to the supposed to prepare participants, encourage them. Their people who actually need it. Secondly, a needy person competitors were students from KAZGUU, Nur-Sultan, should prove the deservingness of this help, the only with whom they frequently competed in other games. exception to this may be when a needy person can not During the preparation time he did not sleep enough, prove it. For instance, children, because of their age they he wanted his team to perform perfectly and they did. are unable to justify the need for help, that is why help The audience exploded with applause when the winners must be provided anyway. However, it is important to 37 created spontaneously and unexpectedly. Its roots go deeper from summer school. One day the speaker explained corporate social responsibility and social entrepreneurship. These topics attracted him and later he found co-working space Impact HUB Almaty, which supports all social initiatives, consequently came to what he has now.

Beknur and his team are slowly developing two ideas. The production of souvenir products for organizations and production for consumers. For various organizations they offer t-shorts, caps, eco-bags with their logos and for consumers they create unique, high-quality and functional solutions. For instance, eco-bags. They all have two handles, however, their project is to provide bags with 3 pockets, ring carabiner for keys and a regulated handle. They have developed its design by themselves and are really proud of that. It is called “Eco Gear Pro”.

understand that giving the money to the tramp is not a

Alumni Magazine charity. On the contrary, it is almost all about wrecking. People encourage the dependent lifestyle, which deprives a person of the autonomy and create additional pressure on the society. Beknur admits that he met a lot of volunteers who at the beginning of the project sincerely believed that will find target audience full of enthusiasm to receive new opportunities to earn money, become successful. Regrettably, many on them got hurt and disappointed since many needy people would like just to receive and do not return anything back. He does not want to help that kind of people. This is not a charity.

A year ago Beknur created a small sewing textile production department, where the seamstresses can be only financially needy single mothers, by that they can combine work and baby care. That is how SP “United Qazaqstan” was born. Since then, they have already served Airport, Roza Luxembourg Foundation, and small fund named “Just Support”, also they sold hundreds of t-shirts, eco-bags, rucksacks. Sadly, they are frequently confused with “Qazaq Republic”, due to that Beknur and his team think about rebranding. The project was

38 KIMEP family helps during the pandemic

2020 was declared the Volunteer Year. This year coronavirus hit us and became the impetus for the development and creation of many volunteer organizations. In this difficult time the spirit of volunteerism helped to overcome hardships. The article describes activities of several large organizations in various fields of volunteering that helped during quarantine and not only.

A lot of KIMEP alumni and students are members of these organizations, you can join by contacting the leaders in the contact information. KIMEP members- faculty, alumni, students - play an important role in the life of Kazakhstani society, and volunteering is part of community service. Jardem Almaty Connect-Ed

Jardem Almaty is a community initiative group, is an A charitable initiative called “Connect-Ed” was set up by independent association of specialists, socially active young Kazakhstani education activists with the goal of citizens of Kazakhstan with a wide experience in volunteer providing necessary equipment to schoolchildren in and social activities. At current moment they are need. The founders of the project, Gulnaz Kordanova working in partnership with public, state and initiative and Daniyar Kussainov, believe that even in 2020, having organizations in Almaty city. personal computer and stable access to the Internet at home is still a privilege. The areas of activities are: Thanks to the organization, more than 100 children now 1. Supporting healthcare professionals at the epicenter have the opportunity to start the school year remotely. of COVID-19: From May to the present day, they donated more than 60

* assistance in providing personal protective items of equipment to children with special educational Alumni Magazine equipment (PPE) for doctors and volunteers; needs and those left without parental care. * assistance in supplying food and water for medical personnel at work sites. Contacts: Instagram: @connected_kz 2. Assistance in opening extra places for hospitalization [email protected] at equipped private medical centers in Almaty. Aidana Bassenova (BFIN 2017)

3. Monitoring pharmacies and hospitals in the city to check availability of required medicines for sale (along with the community monitoring group).

4. Control over the distribution of humanitarian aid (together with community monitoring group).

5. Informational support and coverage of these initiatives, work carried out in Almaty in social networks and other official sources.

Contacts: FB: Jardem Almaty Instagram: @jardemaid Email: [email protected] 87772990057 Galina Kiryan (BSS 2004, MIR 2006) 39 Global Shapers Almaty

The Global Shapers Community is a network of inspiring young people under the age of 30 working together to address local, regional and global challenges. With more than 7,000 members, the Global Shapers Community spans 369 city-based hubs in 171 countries. In each city, teams of Shapers self-organize to create projects that address the needs of their community. Projects are wide- ranging – from responding to disasters and combating poverty, to fighting climate change and building inclusive communities. Shapers are diverse in expertise, education, income and race, but are united by their desire to bring about change.

Birgemiz Almaty

During the quarantine, the organization Birgemiz Almaty was engaged in the delivery of food, medicine, first aid kits, and also helped elderly people from the risk zone. They also disseminated important information about coronavirus, precautions, treatment, wearing masks,

Alumni Magazine creating clear instructions for social networks.

Contacts: @birgemiz.Almaty 87754277637 Bagdat

Global Shapers Almaty is a non-profit organization created with the support of the World Economic Forum. They work on projects for the city in the fields of education, urbanism, gender equality and health development.

Contacts: Instagram: @globalshapersalmaty Altynay Mambetova (BSSIR 2015) 87753424828

40 The Ymit Academy UCAN study

The Ymit Academy project was created by graduates UCAN is a charity project created by a team of ambitious of prestigious schools in Kazakhstan with the aim of schoolchildren. Schoolchildren from low-income families helping young generation grow up competent and and large families, children of doctors and orphans from competitive in all matters and industries. This is another grades 3 to 11 can find a teacher for a subject in which new volunteer movement in our country. Children from they are experiencing difficulties. rural regions of the Republic of Kazakhstan, large and low-income families, families of police officers and health The purpose of the online project is additional training workers can study for free at the Academy. for those students who cannot afford it, instilling interest in learning, and disclosing talents. The project is useful Contacts: for both students and volunteers, as our volunteers, while @ymit.academy teaching, develop their own skills and knowledge. Volunteers Elshibekov Sanzhar 87470593928 are schoolchildren with good academic performance, participants in Olympiads, students of leading universities.

Teaching for heroes Contacts: @ucan_study Teaching for heroes (TFH) is a new charitable social + 77783301617 Aya project initiated by students and graduates of leading [email protected] schools and universities in Kazakhstan, the USA, Great Britain and other countries. This project started to provide support for doctors and contribute to the struggle against COVID-19. Today, each medical worker is a hero, standing at the forefront every day of the virus war.

Teaching For Heroes created an online platform bringing together representatives of the new generation who are ready to learn and share their knowledge with each other. Alumni Magazine Children of doctors from 8 to 16 years old can receive free online lessons to practice their English speaking skills with top-class teachers. Whether they are interested in sports, art, travel or medicine, they will always find an inspiring mentor with us. They can choose from among over 400 teachers who are fluent in English.

Contacts: @teachingforheroes [email protected] The League of Volunteers

The League of Volunteers of Kazakhstan has existed since 2013, it is one of the largest volunteer organizations in Kazakhstan. It is expanding every year, and there are branches in all cities of Kazakhstan.

The League’s projects are aimed at developing the volunteer movement in Kazakhstan, attracting people of all ages to charity work and helping socially vulnerable groups of the population, caring for the environment and historical monuments, as well as supporting students and schoolchildren. 41 The volunteers worked under the general concept of “Birgemiz” within seven nationwide volunteer development areas: “Birgemiz: Bilim”, “Birgemiz: Saylyq”, “Birgemiz: Sabaqtastyq”, “Birgemiz: Taza Alemiz”, “Birgemiz: Asyl mura” : Qamqor ”,“ Birgemiz: Umit ”.

The Bilim project promotes quality education, helps students in choosing a faculty, eliminates dishonest exams, and monitors the quality of knowledge gained. Asyl Mura focuses on the accumulation and preservation of cultural heritage and monuments, monitoring the city’s historical values. The Qamqor project is aimed at supporting socially vulnerable groups of the population and helping low-income families and large families, helping people with disabilities and lonely pensioners. The Saýlyq project promotes a healthy lifestyle, ecotourism. Within the framework of the Sabaqtastyq project, they provide assistance to orphanages, orphans, children from single-parent and low-income families. Úmit is a project to search for missing people, disaster risk reduction and emergency response. Taza Àlem focuses on the protection and preservation of the environment.

“We couldn’t stand aside during a pandemic. Every day we helped with the packaging and contactless delivery of products. We also carried out explanatory work with the population. There were projects to monitor pharmacies and deliver medicines to those in need,- ”says Aisulu Erniyazova, chairperson of the League. Alumni Magazine Contacts: @league_volunteers @lv_almaty02 @almaty_volunteers +7776665544 [email protected]

42 KIMEP AND QUARANTINE: NEW REALITY AND CHALLENGES

Today, KIMEP as well as the other educational ADMINISTRATION STAFF 1: Quarantine has changed institutions is facing challenges previously unknown. a lot in our lives regarding our work, communication Business worldwide and in Kazakhstan in particularly style. It changed our priorities. When my colleagues is experiencing stress, shock and confusion. Is KIMEP and I congratulated each other on the March holidays, responding in time to changing circumstances and the everything was just in the very beginning, and none of business climate? How KIMEP is finding optimal solutions us even imagined what the quarantine would be like and for the functioning in a new academic year? how it would influence at our life. After two months, we have gained new experience in new circumstances. When We asked a number of KIMEP faculty, students and it is impossible to hold large public events, no way to administration staff, what they think about the life in show our beautiful campus, when live communication has quarantine. We wanted to know was KIMEP reacting become inaccessible luxury – that is new reality. Now we properly to the new realities, new challenges caused by conduct online consultations, webinars for our applicants COVID-19 pandemic. What are the main lessons KIMEP and their parents. As before, we have loyal and regular has learned from the period of 2 months lockdown in visitors to our events, even if it’s online. We recognize and Kazakhstan in March-April, and again in July 2020. welcome them, each time finding new arguments, new answers to the main question of student recruitment - Here we present some brief answers to our interview Why choose KIMEP? questions. ADMINISTRATION STAFF 2: The worlds pandemic, quarantine, state of emergency, roadblocks hit us like a hurricane. Because of the whole situation caused by 1. What major lessons, positive and negative, have COVID-19, we had to move to distance learning and you learned from life in quarantine? teaching, and some employees had to switch to the Alumni Magazine remote regime. Most of the team went on unplanned FACULTY 1: The main lesson probably was that things vacations. We forced to start a new life and work style in can change very quickly and unexpectedly, and one has some kind of parallel reality. Vladimir Vysotsky sang in his to accept this as a part of life. famous song “Тот же лес, тот же воздух и та же вода, ТОЛЬКО…” all of a sudden everything became different. FACULTY 2: Life is all about change and learning to live with change. Moving forward successfully means 2. Were you comfortable working/studying/ teaching adapting to change, not stopping it. Don’t wait for life to online / remote? return to normal, because it won’t. FACULTY 1: Overall, teaching online is much harder KIMEP STUDENT: When I first realized that the next few than face-to-face. You do not see your audience as a weeks we have to stay home, I was kind of lost. Firstly, I whole, and do not feel as many emotions as you do in a was afraid of the whole pandemic situation and secondly, classroom. Teaching online was a useful necessity. On the I was worried about the rest of the semester! Since it was other hand, online tools provided new opportunities for my last semester at KIMEP, I hoped the quarantine will be networking with colleagues in other countries. over in a few weeks’ time. It is sad that I spent my last two months of studying at home, but I really appreciate the FACULTY 2: Education involves building relationships effort Kazakhstan made to minimize the virus spread. We with others, and this is different in an online-only can argue a lot about whether it was a good decision to environment. In summer I am teaching a course in which be isolated or not, but we have to admit that we made a a large number of students have never been in class good effort to help the healthcare workers. Safety first. with me before. Despite this, I see I am able to build relationships with many of those students. That makes me hopeful about prospects for distance teaching, even if it is not the same as face-to-face. 43 KIMEP STUDENT: I really appreciate our professors’ FACULTY 2: I have seen several cases of students who are hard working. Overall, I did not have any major problems more successful in the online environment than face- with studying online at all. Maybe, it was very fortunate to-face, whether because it helps them solve problems to me that by the time we started studying online I have of distance or for other reasons. I am hopeful those already finished all of my finance courses, which could successes can extend our connections with students. be harder to understand if you are studying online. I am going to be honest, I spent about first two weeks ADMINISTRATION STAFF 1: Of course, it is sad to see an procrastinating, I was enjoying the freedom I had at my empty campus without our beloved, wonderful students. house, so I watched a lot of interesting movies and TV After all, everything is for their sake. KIMEP was founded, shows. I guess it was some kind of my way to release the built up for students, for their funny laughs, gatherings in stress (I was so tired of watching news every day). Later I the coffee house and sittings on the campus benches, full organized myself and since I had upcoming state exams, I and noisy study rooms, where new bold ideas are born. started to study more. So, I was able to manage my time, When you walk on a deserted campus, you feel sad. We I spent more time reading, learning and cooking. During all live in the hope that it will all end and KIMEP will be quarantine, I decided to try out different recipes, spend flooded with a rumble of voices and familiar faces of our more time with my family, and watch stuff that is more students. fun. ADMINISTRATION STAFF 2: We had a problem! ADMINISTRATION STAFF 1: During quarantine time, Unfortunately, in our library, we did not have electronic we improved our culinary skills, rediscovered the luxury versions of textbooks, and students, due to the strict of communicating with family members. We watched quarantine measures, could not come to the university to TV shows, re-read our favorite books. By the way, I have get books or work out in reading rooms. noticed that the parents of our potential students and our applicants during our online meeting started to share At the same time, it was nice to realize that our library with us innermost thoughts, entrust us with their dreams community, with the help of Association of Libraries of and fears. Sometimes the usual consultations turned Higher Education in Kazakhstan, had become supportive into long sincere and frank conversations. Sometimes and responded promptly to our request, and helped we imagined how we went together all the way from in finding and providing the necessary materials in

Alumni Magazine admission to the Graduation Ceremony. electronic form.

ADMINISTRATION STAFF 2: We had to redesign 4. Did quarantine help you to become closer with overall activities in our library in order to provide your family? What new activities happened in your maximum help to our faculty and students. Firstly, we family during quarantine? had to organize a remote access to electronic resources for distance learning. The library has subscriptions to FACULTY 2: In fact, communicating with family and many full-text electronic databases. Unfortunately, friends was one of just a few pleasant things about the all of them were available on the university campus quarantine. according to registered IP addresses. We contacted the relevant companies and asked for remote access to KIMEP STUDENT: As a 4th year student, just before their databases. Many of them responded positively and quarantine, I had busy schedule, managing my family provided us with an access. The Ministry of Education and time with work was a little bit hard. I missed family Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan also helped a lot, evenings, because I used to get home very late, when organizing three months free access to 14 databases of everybody was almost sleeping. But then, when we were EBSCOhost. All those efforts helped tremendously to our on quarantine, we were all at home, I was happy to spend faculty and especially undergraduate students in writing every day with my big family, it is never boring for us to their master of theses. be together! First week or two we were watching a new movie every day, it was fun, but at the end I got tired of 3. How can distance learning change KIMEP U? it. I love spending evenings with my parents, because we can talk on different topics for hours. In addition, we FACULTY 1: It is too early to judge. I expect that the next cooked and we cooked a lot! We played different games, academic year will show more profound changes. usually my dad was playing chess with my brothers and also my little siblings learned how to play mafia with us, 44 adults, it was fun. I came from a big family, and I was brilliantly embody new projects, and travel to the new always comfortable spending time with my siblings, so, cities and countries. They form their own families, and for me, it was okay to live in quarantine as a big family. their children are born. This is the greatest happiness - to Sometimes it was very loud and exhausting, but mostly I know that our Alumni are doing well. I strongly believe enjoyed this time with my parents and siblings. that quarantine will not have any impact on this feeling of Happiness. Knowing this, we can overcome any 5. How fast did KIMEP U react to Covid-19? difficulties.

FACULTY 1: KIMEP University´s management was ADMINISTRATION STAFF 2: All our life and work extremely efficient in reacting to the situation. To me, suddenly turned into a virtual reality. We had to change this is just another example of how private enterprises our psychological approach to the current situation. are generally managed more efficiently than some public Lately, we started to become heavily dependent on our institutions. mobile phones and laptops, and other devices, and that turned into something almost maniac. As a result, KIMEP STUDENT: I loved the way that KIMEP reacted we started to miss an ordinary human communication. quickly, and we were all switched to distance learning. It Sometimes I think that the situation with pandemic has only depended on the professors, how quickly they will been given to us as a lesson to helping us to analyze adapt to the new format. Some of my professors took it our life, appreciate simple things that we have - our job, very easily from the first class and organized everything colleagues, friends and relatives. Definitely, I have learned perfectly. But there were also some others, who needed my lessons. Now I want to be kinder, to value life, to be a little bit more time to get used to the new way of useful to my country and to all who need me. teaching. I understand them, and I really appreciate their efforts. We have gained invaluable experience in many ways, both in self-organization and in the organizing of our 6. How did you struggle with fear, social uncertainty, work under new conditions. panic, depression during quarantine? 7. Please tell us the most interesting story that FACULTY 1: I did not experience any of those. happened with you during quarantine? Alumni Magazine KIMEP STUDENT: I used to watch the news every FACULTY 2: Truly, there was not much interesting. It felt day, and it was so disturbing, there was a feeling like like three months have just been thrown away. everything was falling apart in the World… But it’s not! I stopped checking the numbers, news and anything, KIMEP STUDENT: One of the interesting stories is about what could negatively affect my mood. Just think about the birthday celebration of my grandma, since we were it, watching news in television makes us panic more… on a lock-down, celebrating her birthday and inviting News make profits out of making people anxious, that is guests is not allowed and could put the health of all of what they do for the living, and it is okay. We just have us under the risk, we organized zoom meeting with all to stop worrying so much, be responsible for your own of my relatives, sitting in our kitchens and celebrating actions and be a good man – and everything is going to together  I also played some games with my friends be fine. Of course, I was worried first two weeks, but then through the zoom! It helped to keep us together even on I decided to be busier, so that I will not have time to think quarantine, I loved that. The whole experience of distance and process all the negative events. I suggest you to keep learning was really interesting, but I think it can become yourself busy and think positively! too comfortable to study at home, so it’s good only for a short time period  ADMINISTRATION STAFF 1: KIMEP has always been and will be unique. This is his strength, the secret of his 8. Did you use with maximum free time during attraction. We all are one big family. Students, graduates, quarantine to get new skills, to sign up for new teachers, employees of administrative departments. training, to start dancing, singing, learning foreign I worked at KIMEP for more than 20 years, and I language , drawing pictures? still keep in touch with many graduates and former colleagues. We monitor their success and happy for their FACULTY 1: I used some of the quarantine time to work accomplishments. They move up the career ladders, on my research. 45 KIMEP STUDENT: Since I had low activity level due FACULTY 1 to staying home, I started training on my own. Now, I Sergey Sayapin LLB, LLM, Dr. iur., PhD made a good habit of training almost every day in order Associate Professor to keep myself active. I really loved training videos on LLB in International Law Programme Director YouTube, right now there are so many channels, which you can train with, and I highly recommend checking out FACULTY 2 Pamela Reif’s videos on YouTube. In addition, I discovered Frederick Emrich I love dancing and singing karaoke! I like African dances, Chair, Assistant Professor, Department of Media and which I found also on YouTube, they help me to instantly Communications turn my positive mood on, so I really suggest you to try Chair, Academic Council out sometime! KIMEP STUDENT 9. What new books did you read, new movies and Zhaniya Khairulla performances did you watch that impressed you BFIN-4 strongly? ADMINISTRATION STAFF 2 FACULTY 1: I have read the Arcadia trilogy by Professor Olga Zaitseva, Library, Director Simon Chesterman, Dean of the Law Faculty at the National University of . It is a story of a young ADMINISTRATION STAFF 1 girl who is at least as observant as Sherlock Holmes was. Sholpan Zhumabayeva, Admission, Senior Officer Very interesting books. Highly recommended.

KIMEP STUDENT: Let me mention some interesting resources that I recommend to check out! I enjoyed reading Stephen King’s “Misery”, “Becoming” the autobiography of Michelle Obama, some of Dale Carnegie’s books and started reading Lee Kuan Yew’s “From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-

Alumni Magazine 2000”. Now, I recently started watching videos on meditation and self-development, very inspiring! From movies, I can highlight one of them that I liked: it is “Dark waters” about the famous DuPont scandal in early 2000s. I listened to many podcasts of “FindYourB” and I watched many old videos on TED talks, really interesting and entertaining.

Definitely one of the positive results of life in quarantine according to all respondents was strengthening of family ties.

46 Alumni Reunion in Nur-Sultan

On December 7, 2019, an Alumni Reunion in Nur-Sultan was held at Vista Restaurant, Astana Marriot Hotel. More than a hundred graduates from different years, colleges and programs gathered to celebrate the New Year. Graduates took part in various competitions and lotteries with prizes from KIMEP and the main sponsors Scat Airlines, The Thai Restaurant, Astana Marriott Hotel, Khan Rai Travel, BI Group. The host of the event was KIMEP graduate and famous showman Kirill Meister. KIMEP University was represented by Raushan Kanaeva, Asem Beysembinova, Nurlan Orazalin and Dinara Sagindykova. The event was organized by KIMEP Ambassadors of Nur-Sultan Saltanat Kerimbayeva, Bagdaulet Turekhanov, Zerip Kosym, Raushan Taurkulova, Ainura Ashimova, Leila Ospanova, Asem Kazzhanova and Gulmarzhan Bektenova. All of them received certificates of gratitude from the KIMEP management. The alumni also presented a commemorative prize to KIMEP representatives, which was presented to the President of KIMEP, Dr. Chan Yan Bang. Alumni Magazine

47 Alumni in Admission Campaign

Quarantine has disrupted the plans of the whole world, Quarantine also inspired us to create Alumni Talks: and KIMEP’S work is no exception. We had planned webinars on a specific topic from our alumni who already grandiose events - Open House Day, which was supposed have professional experience and can share interesting to take place not only within the walls of KIMEP, but also information not only for applicants, but also for current in different cities: starting with Nursultan and ending with students and graduates. Since the beginning of June, Aktobe. There were supposed to be alumni who would 15 Alumni Talks have been held, in which alumni of share their experiences and inspire prospective students various specialties have participated and topics ranged to enter. However, the pandemic has not spared anyone. from “How to Save and Increase Money” to “Building a Nevertheless, KIMEP did not give up the planned events Personal Brand”. and immediately went online. The pandemic changed the whole world, but it gave us an Since the beginning of the quarantine, we have held 19 impetus for even greater development, and we hope that webinars for high school students in Zoom, which has alumni will remain as active as they are and such webinars already become a must-have application for everyone. will stay with us for a long time. At the webinars, alumni talked about their learning experiences at KIMEP, and then held a Q&A session. Representatives of all four KIMEP colleges attended, so no one was left out. Alumni Magazine

48 Alumni Talks Alumni Magazine

49 Career Talks

In May 2020, the KIMEP Career and Employment Service launched a new career platform “CareerTalks” for all Kazakhstan’s students.

How to build a successful career? What professions are in demand today and tomorrow? How to get into a large international company? What are the global trends in the labor market? How to launch your startup? and much more information can be learnt on a platform where successful entrepreneurs, leading experts and business trainers in various business sectors from different industries share their opinions and experiences.

Since May CES has held sessions with:

1. Speaker: Mariyam Zhumadil, KIMEP Alumna 2007; Investment Professional at International Finance Corporation (IFC), Washington DC Topic: “Building a global career in Emerging market investments”

2. Speaker: Sayasat Nurbek, BTS Education, CEO

Alumni Magazine Topic: “Successful Career Path: Future skills and jobs outlook“

3. Umijon Osmanov, KIMEP Alumnus 2019, Founder of social project for helping entrepreneurs - Digitalization. Topic: “Guerrilla marketing that will help you get into Forbes. How to perceive it?“

4. Leila Bashimova, KImep Alumna 2015, Business Development Executive in Yandex, Russia Topic: “Guess where I am? I’m in the TOP-company”

5. Yuliya Yudina, KIMEP Alumna 2004, business trainer, career consultant Topic: “LinkedIn - how to create a profile, how to search for a job through this resource”

6. Alibek Yessov, KIMEP Alumnus 2007, 2011, Head of Wolt company Topic: “Career in international companies: from Financier - to Consultant - to Head of a startup”

50 Rakhmet Scholarship Fund

The RAKHMET Scholarship Fund was established in 2010. collection of academic This is a fund set up by KIMEP Alumni to support students resources, contribute seed in need, and contribute to the education of tomorrow’s funds for KIMEP’s research leaders. The fund supports financially needy students who centers or assist our students demonstrate excellence academic merit. Alumni can also achieve their dreams of support KIMEP’s institutional needs through the fund. participating in international For ways to contribute, please contact KIMEP’s Corporate conferences, a range of Development Department at [email protected] or opportunities exist to support the institution. The gift can +7 727 270 42 26. be named after your company, your class, or however you would like to capture your contribution to KIMEP. In addition to scholarships and support for faculty, there Corporate Development Department staff can assist you are dozens of ways to provide support for and work with with your personalized gift to improve KIMEP’s services KIMEP. Whether you would like to enhance the library’s for faculty, students and the community. Alumni Magazine

51 CONTACT US

Ways to keep in touch Services for Alumni

• Have you changed your job, email or phone number? KIMEP is proud of its Alumni. The success of the Institute Update your contact information electronically: depends primarily on the success of its graduates. KIMEP [email protected] or https://www.kimep.kz/portal/ is pleased to offer the following list of benefits for its account/registeralumni Alumni, and encourages Alumni to take advantage of the • Keep up to date on events, news, contests, and more following services. via e-mail. • Get together with alumni in your region or who share • 10% discounts for the trainings of Professional your interests. Development Programs (PDCP) of the College of • Build your professional networks and connect with Continuing Education of KIMEP, as well as foreign Alumni through KIMEP official pages on Facebook language courses and preparatory courses for the @kimepalumniassociation and Instagram children for the admission to KIMEP. @kimep_alumni_association • Free access to the information resources of the KIMEP Library. Alumni Success Stories • Free entrance to the KIMEP Sports Center. • Rental of the conference halls of KIMEP with 20% If you would like KIMEP to highlight your professional discount for the conferences, trainings, and seminars. or community service activities, personal or family • Career and Employment Center offers its services achievements, we will be happy to include your profile in to help alumni to find good candidates among alumni-related publications. KIMEP graduates for work or students for internships opportunities.

Alumni Magazine Please contact [email protected] to participate.

52 Alumni Magazine

Alumni Magazine is intellectual property of KIMEP U. It is distributed among KIMEP alumni and business community. Year founded: 2011 Publisher: KIMEP University Editor: the Corporate Development Department (CDD). 53